Urgent chocolate recall issued over fears of contamination with deadly bacteria

Confectionary-giant Ghirardelli is recalling certain batches of its powdered chocolate beverage mixes over the potential they could be contaminated with a life-threatening bacteria. 

The recall was initiated following an initial recall by California Dairies, Inc. due to the concern of salmonella in the milk powder, the company said. 

This milk powder was then supplied to a third-party manufacturer and used as an ingredient in the Ghirardelli beverage mixes. 

Neither Ghirardelli nor the manufacturer have received reports of illnesses in connection to this recall.

Additionally, testing by Ghirardelli ‘has not identified any impacted powdered beverage mixes,’ the company said in the recall notice. 

‘Nothing is more important to us than the safety and quality of our products, and we’re taking this step out of an abundance of caution,’ it added.

The affected products include chocolate, mocha, vanilla and white mocha frappe mixes; bulk premium hot cocoa pouches; chocolate and cocoa sweet ground powder; white chocolate sweet ground powder; and frozen hot cocoa frappe mix. 

Products have ‘best if used by’ dates ranging from May 2027 to January 2028.  

The recalled products include chocolate beverage mixes (stock image)

A full list of specific products and lot codes can be found on the company website. 

The products were shipped in large packages for use in restaurants and among distributors, but may be available for consumer purchase on certain e-commerce websites.  

Salmonella is among the leading causes of foodborne illness in the US.

It infects about 1.35 million people every year, the CDC estimates, and leads to 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths. 

Symptoms appear within eight to 72 hours of an infection, and include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting. 

In some cases, however, no symptoms appear at all.

Doctors say that warning signs of the infection generally last a few days to a week and that most patients do not need to see a doctor.

However, they warn that infants, young children, pregnant women and older adults are particularly at risk from salmonella because they have a weaker immune system.

Pictured above are two of the products included in the recall

Pictured above are two of the products included in the recall

Most people infected with Salmonella recover within a week without treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization.

In serious cases, the bacteria can spread from the intestines into the blood and infect other organs, such as the brain, heart or lungs, which can trigger the potentially fatal complication sepsis.

Doctors may attempt to treat the infection in these cases using antibiotics.

Health officials urge anyone who develops symptoms to contact their healthcare provider and report the illness to their state health department.