The nationwide recall of Spring & Mulberry chocolate bars has widened again after federal investigators traced the potential contamination to a single batch of date ingredient used in production. The company announced the voluntary expansion on Friday, following what it described as a comprehensive root cause investigation conducted with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Initially launched in January over concerns about possible salmonella contamination, the recall originally covered certain Spring & Mulberry chocolate bars. Within a day, the company added more products to the list. Now, the latest expansion includes an additional 5,871,627 chocolate bars, bringing the total affected products to well over six million units.
FDA Investigation Pinpoints Contamination Source
According to the FDA, the investigation identified a specific lot of date ingredient as the most likely source of the contamination. The agency has not disclosed the supplier, but Spring & Mulberry has halted use of that ingredient and is working to remove all affected products from store shelves nationwide.
Salmonella infections can cause serious illness, especially in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The recall comes amid a broader wave of food safety alerts: snack mixes sold at Target and other retailers were recently recalled for similar concerns, and Ghirardelli pulled its powdered drinks over possible salmonella contamination.
Consumer Guidance and Industry Impact
Spring & Mulberry is urging consumers to check their pantries for any recalled chocolate bars and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. The company has also set up a customer service hotline for questions. No illnesses have been confirmed so far, but the company and FDA are monitoring reports.
The recall underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in the food supply chain. In recent months, Utz recalled Zapp's and Dirty chips over salmonella risk from milk powder, and pizza and pork rinds were recalled nationwide due to the same pathogen. These incidents have prompted renewed calls for stricter ingredient testing and supply chain oversight.
Spring & Mulberry, known for its premium chocolate products, faces potential reputational damage and financial losses from the recall. Industry analysts say the company's swift cooperation with regulators may help limit long-term fallout, but consumer confidence could take a hit. The FDA has not indicated whether further enforcement actions are planned.
Consumers with questions can visit the FDA's recall page or contact Spring & Mulberry directly. The company advises anyone who experiences symptoms after eating the chocolate to seek medical attention.
