The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has initiated a voluntary recall of 48 lots of its powdered beverage mixes, citing potential contamination with salmonella from a milk powder ingredient. The move, announced in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, follows a separate recall by California Dairies, Inc., the dairy cooperative that supplied the milk powder to a third-party manufacturer.
In a statement, Ghirardelli emphasized that neither the company, its third-party manufacturer, nor the milk powder supplier has received reports of illness or injury tied to the products. The company also noted that its own rigorous testing has not detected any contamination in the powdered beverage mixes. “Nothing is more important to us than the safety and quality of our products, and we’re taking this step out of an abundance of caution,” the company said.
The recalled products were primarily sold in bulk packages intended for restaurant and foodservice use, but consumers could also purchase them directly online. This recall is part of a broader pattern of food safety concerns; earlier this year, Utz recalled Zapp's and Dirty chips over a similar salmonella risk from milk powder.
Health Risks and Symptoms
Salmonella infections can be serious, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. In healthy adults, symptoms typically include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal.
What Consumers Should Do
Retailers who stocked the affected products are advised to call 1-855-744-1426 for instructions on returns and refunds. Consumers who believe they have consumed a recalled product should submit a request through Ghirardelli’s contact page on its website. The company has not disclosed a specific list of lot numbers but says the recall covers four dozen lots of powdered beverage mixes.
This recall comes amid a series of food safety actions across the industry. For instance, a Colorado firm recently recalled thousands of tins of baby formula over toxin risks, highlighting ongoing vigilance in the food supply chain. Meanwhile, unrelated recalls have affected other consumer goods, such as Costco's recall of 207,800 heated socks after reports of second-degree burns.
Ghirardelli's action underscores the interconnected nature of modern food production, where a single contaminated ingredient can trigger widespread recalls. The company has not specified when the affected products were manufactured or distributed, but the recall notice urges immediate action to prevent potential illness.
