5 days ago
Chocolate Recall Sparks Nationwide Warning to Customers
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.
Neuhaus Chocolates NV is recalling their Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurfs 'Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies because the product contains wheat which was not declared on the packaging.
Newsweek reached out to the company via email Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
Numerous recalls have been initiated this year due to the potential for damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens.
Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts.
People with a wheat allergy could experience a "serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," the FDA warns.
What To Know
Neuhaus Chocolate can be seen related to a recall in August 2025. (Photo from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Neuhaus Chocolate can be seen related to a recall in August 2025. (Photo from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
In the alert, the FDA says the recalled chocolates were distributed from July 21, 2025, until August 4, 2025, by Neuhaus stores in Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and via their online store.
The impacted batch numbers are 80108690 and 80108763 with a best use before date of January 13, 2026, the FDA alert says.
There have been no reports of illnesses related to this recall and 150 units of the impacted products were sold, the FDA says.
What People Are Saying
The FDA in their alert in part: "The action was initiated after it was discovered during an internal check that product containing wheat was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an exceptional combination of circumstances in which the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) did not include the allergen on the packaging."
In an email to Newsweek in January, the FDA said: "Most recalls in the U.S. are carried out voluntarily by the product manufacturer and when a company issues a public warning, typically via news release, to inform the public of a voluntary product recall; the FDA shares that release on our website as a public service.
"The FDA's role during a voluntary, firm-initiated, recall is to review the recall strategy, evaluate the health hazard presented by the product, monitor the recall, and as appropriate alert the public and other companies in the supply chain about the recall.
"The FDA provides public access to information on recalls by posting a listing of recalls according to their classification in the FDA Enforcement Report, including the specific action taken by the recalling company. The FDA Enforcement Report is designed to provide a public listing of products in the marketplace that are being recalled."
Additional information on recalls can be found via the FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts.
What Happens Next
Customers who have purchased the recalled product who have a wheat allergy are asked to return it to the original place of purchase and not to consume it, the FDA says.
People with additional questions may contact the company via phone at +32 2 568 23 00 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central European Summer Time on weekdays or via email at customercare@
