Don’t eat that! Your chocolate bar may be contaminated with salmonella

US food safety regulators have announced a nationwide recall of a specialty chocolate product after it was found to potentially contain salmonella, a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Spring Mulberry is voluntarily recalling a specific lot of its Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar following concerns raised during routine testing conducted by an independent laboratory. The testing indicated a possible presence of salmonella, prompting the company to take precautionary action.

According to the FDA, no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported in connection with the recalled product so far.

The affected chocolate bars have been sold across the United States since September 15, 2025, both online and in retail stores. Consumers can identify the recalled product by its teal-colored outer packaging and lot code #025255, which is printed on the clear plastic inner wrapper.

Customers who have purchased the affected chocolate bars are advised not to consume them and to discard the product immediately.

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning and typically leads to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. While most healthy individuals recover without serious complications, the infection can pose a significant health risk to young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

In rare cases, the FDA warned, salmonella infections can spread beyond the digestive system and enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to severe conditions including arterial infections, heart complications such as endocarditis, and joint inflammation.

The FDA said it will continue to monitor the situation and urged consumers to check their purchases carefully to ensure food safety.