The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has drastically escalated a recall of chocolate-covered snacks to a Class 1 designation, which is its most serious level, citing life-threatening risks for those with severe allergies. Cal Yee Farm LLC, a California-based snack manufacturer, decided initially for a recall in December.

The recall targeted several of its chocolate and yogurt-coated products, as well as select trail mixes and toffee, because of undeclared allergens. Now, after further FDA review, the agency warned that consuming these products could lead to severe health reactions or even death for those sensitive to ingredients such as milk, soy, wheat, sesame, and almonds. If you or even someone in your household suffers from food allergies, check your pantry right away. For other details, scroll through here.

Details of the recall

The recalled products were on the shelves in nine states: California, Arizona, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, but also in online stores. Some of the most affected items include dark chocolate almonds, dark chocolate raisins, dark chocolate apricots, dark chocolate walnuts, yogurt-coated almonds, tropical trail mix, Cajun sesame hot sticks, as well as New Orleans hot mix.

Even if some of these items contain undeclared milk, the Cajun sesame hot sticks and New Orleans hot mix have undeclared wheat and soybean oil, which further increases the risk for consumers with allergies. At first, the recall was initiated after an FDA inspection uncovered mislabeling issues, revealing how some products containing allergens had been distributed without proper ingredient disclosure.

No illnesses have been reported so far, but consumers are urged to take this recall quite seriously.

FDA’s highest risk classification

The FDA rarely issues Class 1 recalls, which are often reserved for products that pose a fairly reasonable probability of severe health consequences or even death. Food allergens are definitely among the leading causes of medical emergencies, especially if they are related to contaminated food products, making this recall especially urgent.

Consumers who have bought any of the affected products should instantly discard them, especially if they have an allergy. Those with known sensitivities should also avoid any potential exposure and then return the product to Cal Yee Farm for a full refund. If you somehow experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, like difficulty breathing, swelling, and severe stomach pain, you should seek medical attention right away.

What you need to know

Try not to consume recalled products, especially if you have allergies to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, or even almonds. Also, dispose of them right away, or at least return them for a refund. Consumers with additional questions can contact Cal Yee Farm at (707) 425-5327 between 8 AM and 4:30 PM PST, Monday through Friday.

The FDA also encouraged consumers to check its official recall database for further updates on affected products. Cal Yee Farm declared that it has corrected the labeling issue and is now cooperating with the FDA to remove affected products from circulation. No other Cal Yee Farm items are now part of this recall.

Food safety concerns on the rise

This specific recall is now part of a growing trend of undeclared allergen incidents, raising concerns about food labeling accuracy as well as manufacturer quality control. The FDA ramped up enforcement and testing to make sure food producers comply with strict labeling regulations.

However, mislabeling continues to be an incredible issue. Consumers are urged to stay vigilant, by checking ingredient labels carefully and staying updated on recall alerts. Since regulatory oversight tightens, manufacturers could face stricter requirements to prevent future incidents such as these.

Lay’s Chips had a very similar recall upgrade last month

Only last month, Frito-Lay issued an emergency recall for a limited batch of 13 oz. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to undeclared milk, which prompted a Class I recall, the FDA’s highest risk designation, just like all the other recent chocolate-covered snack recalls.

The affected chips were distributed in Oregon and Washington and were pulled after a consumer complaint showed the missing allergen labeling, posing a life-threatening risk for those with dairy allergies. Even if no illness was reported, 6,344 bags were affected, with a Best By Date of February 11, 2025, as well as a UPC Code 28400 31041.

Consumers with milk allergies should discard the product right away or simply return it for a refund. This recall mainly highlights a growing food safety concern since undeclared allergens are still a leading cause of medical emergencies, prompting the FDA to tighten its enforcement. For additional details, visit the FDA’s recall database or Frito-Lay’s website.

Better chocolate snacks: JOJO’s Original Chocolate bars

JOJO’s Original Chocolate Bars are by far the healthiest chocolate snack option. They’re both chocolatey and crunchy, while also being high in protein and fiber. All in all, they keep you satisfied for longer. They are also made with only five high-quality ingredients, such as dark chocolate, almonds, pistachios, dried cranberries, and hemp protein.

Since they are made from hemp seeds, hemp protein is by far one of the few plant-based protein sources that has all nine essential amino acids, which makes it a source of complete protein.

Besides this short ingredient list, JOJO’s bars are vegan, gluten-free, certified non-GMO, soy-free, and paleo-friendly.

Taza 85% Super Dark Chocolate Disks

Taza Chocolate is a Massachusetts-based company that makes high-quality stone-ground chocolate products. Besides being gluten-free, non-GMO Project verified, as well as certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Taza was the very first U.S. chocolate maker that establish a third-party-certified direct trade program.

It’s ideal for everyone who loves the deep, slightly bitter flavor of dark chocolate since these super dark chocolate disks are totally made with only two ingredients. First is stone-ground organic cocoa beans, and the other one is organic cane sugar.

barkTHINS snacking dark chocolate, pumpkin seed, and sea salt

If you would rather try a dark chocolate snack you can easily munch on, barkTHINS Snacking Dark Chocolate is by far one of the best options. Crunchy and a bit salty, these chocolate snacks are totally made only from three simple ingredients: dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and sea salt.

These ingredients are also fair trade certified, and totally non-GMO verified. Besides providing a nice crunch, pumpkin seeds are a wonderful source of plenty of essential nutrients, such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper.

If you want to keep an eye on portion size, each one of them contains 10 g of added sugar, which is only 40% of the American Heart Association’s daily added sugar recommendation for women and 28% of the recommended amount for men.

Honey Mama’s birthday cake blonde truffle bar

If you are a huge fan of white chocolate, but still to find a healthier option completely made out of nutritious ingredients, just give Honey Mama’s Birthday Cake Blonde Truffle Bar a chance. Since it has been made with the healthiest ingredients, such as organic cashews and coconut, these truffle-like bars are the definition of the birthday cake flavor.

Enjoy Life Sunseed butter Enjoy Bites

Enjoy Life is a great food company totally dedicated to producing products that are free of gluten and without any major allergens. They also provide a wide variety of vegan-friendly snacks and treats. Completely made with vegan semisweet chocolate, sunflower protein, sunflower butter, and pumpkin with sunflower seeds, these protein bites aren’t just vegan, but they’re also allergy-free.

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