Latest news with #MellaceFamilyBrandsCalifornia
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
FDA chocolate recall warns of ‘serious or life-threatening' risk
Americans eat an estimated 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate each year, which isn't surprising, given how many delicious forms the sweet treat comes in. That rounds out to around 11 pounds per person of chocolate each year. We don't hold the title for the most chocolate consumed, though. That belongs to the Swiss, although the United States does produce more chocolate than any other country in the world. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The FDA has strict production standards for the chocolate that U.S. companies produce and sell, including regulating the minimum amount of cocoa solids that have to be present in chocolate for the products to carry the chocolate label. Beyond production issues, there are also many other rules in place to make sure people are not sickened by the chocolate they consume. Unfortunately, one company has failed to live up to these obligations recently, and its lapse is putting chocolate eaters at risk. The FDA recently issued an urgent safety recall. The chocolate company originally alerted customers on June 25, 2025, and the FDA published it on June 30, 2025, in order to sound the alarm to the public as a whole and make sure word got out. The FDA warned that the recall was a very serious one, with potentially life-threatening consequences. The recalled items were made by the Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. of Warren, Ohio, and include Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils. The affected items were distributed through Wegmans grocery stores in eight different states: DelawareMarylandMassachusettsNorth CarolinaNew JerseyNew YorkPennsylvaniaVirginiaWashington D.C. The problem with the candies that prompted the recall is an undeclared allergen. It was discovered that the Nonpareils contained a milk allergen and were distributed in packaging that did not alert consumers to the presence of this ingredient. Related: CDC sounds the alarm on growing global travel concern A temporary breakdown in the supplier's manufacturing process caused the problem to occur, and as the FDA alert makes clear, "people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product with the lot codes shown below." Fortunately, the issue was discovered before anyone had an allergic reaction and suffered health consequences. Customers who bought the affected items are now being urged to return them to the place where they were purchased to obtain a full refund. The impacted candies were sold in a plastic tub and include items with the following lot codes: 55021 BEST BY: DEC 28, 202555031 BEST BY: DEC 29, 202555491 BEST BY: FEB 13, 202655501 BEST BY: FEB 14, 202656061 BEST BY: APR 11, 202656071 BEST BY: APR 12, 2026 You can find your lot code and best by date on the left side of the candy tub. In 2024, 2,454 product recalls had already occurred in the United States across five key industries by the third quarter of the year, according to Sedgwick. These recalls affected a total of 580.4 million products. The five industries include medical devices, food, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and automotive. Related: TSA issues stern warning forbidding popular summer item Food saw a 112.7% increase in recalls in 2024 year, a disturbing number for those who expect and hope the products they consume will be safe. Consumers should monitor the FDA for news of recalls to make sure they do not have affected products. The FDA has a searchable database of safety alerts online to help make that easier, with Wegman's chocolate products currently topping the list as the most recent recall. More Retail: Walmart CEO sounds alarm on a big problem for customersTarget makes a change that might scare Walmart, CostcoTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers Hopefully, consumers with serious milk allergies will see the news of the chocolate recall and return the items before any harm is done. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Wegmans chocolate sold in 8 states recalled over undeclared allergen
A Wegmans chocolate product was recently recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen. Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. of Warren, Ohio initiated the recall, informing the Food and Drug Administration on June 25 that Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils, chocolate-flavored balls made of sugar and starch, contained milk. "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils contained a milk allergen and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk," the FDA notice says. "(A) subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the suppliers' manufacturing process." Anyone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product, according to the FDA notice. The candy was distributed through Wegmans stores in eight states, including Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries or illness due to the consumption of the chocolate-flavored decorative confections. Here's what to know about the Wegmans chocolate recall. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Wegmans chocolate recall: Affected products Consumers who have purchased the Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils with specific lot codes are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. According to the FDA notice, the product is packaged in a plastic tub labeled Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils 18.5oz (1LB 2.5OZ) 524g, UPC 0 77890 49787 6, SCC 10077890497873. The product's lot code and best by date can be found on the left side of the tub. Affected lot codes include: Consumers with any questions, or concerns about the recalled product may contact Wegmans Food Markets by phone at (855)-934-3663 from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. ET daily.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Chocolate Recalled in Eight States as 'Life-Threatening' Warning Issued
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils have been recalled from stores in eight states and Washington, D.C., following the discovery of undeclared milk allergens in the product's packaging. The recall, announced by Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. on June 25, encompasses specific batches sold at Wegmans retail locations in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the D.C. "People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product," the company said. Why It Matters Food recalls due to undeclared allergens continue to be a critical public health issue in the United States. Individuals with milk allergies face the constant risk of accidental exposure to this common allergen, which can cause serious—and sometimes fatal—reactions. What To Know Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. recalled Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils after discovering the product contained undeclared milk allergens. The recall applies to 18.5-ounce containers labeled with the following best by and lot codes: 55021 BEST BY: DEC 28, 2025 55031 BEST BY: DEC 29, 2025 55491 BEST BY: FEB 13, 2026 55501 BEST BY: FEB 14, 2026 56061 BEST BY: APR 11, 2026 56071 BEST BY: APR 12, 2026 The product features UPC 0 77890 49787 6. The issue was attributed to a temporary breakdown in the supplier's manufacturing process, resulting in the presence of milk in products labeled as milk-free. As of June 30, no illnesses have been reported, according to the company. Consumers who have purchased Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils with the above lot codes are "urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund," according to the company announcement published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday. What People Are Saying Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, the director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: "Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there's like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods." Recalled Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils products Recalled Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils products FDA What Happens Next Customers with questions can contact Wegmans Food Markets at 1-855-934-3663 daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. The FDA encourages anyone experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction after consuming these products to seek medical attention and submit a report through its online complaint system.
