Chocolate lovers across the United States are being urged to double-check their candy stash after a nationwide recall of semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils due to undeclared milk allergens. The recall, initiated by Pennsylvania-based Weaver Nut Company, has been highlighted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a detailed safety alert. The company’s chocolate products, widely distributed through grocery and retail stores, are now under scrutiny following the discovery of mislabeled items that could pose serious health risks to people with milk allergies.
What Triggered the Recall and Why It Matters
The issue came to light when a wholesale customer noticed that the product specifications didn’t match the actual ingredients. After the company looked into it, lab tests confirmed that the chocolates contained milk proteins, even though they were labeled as milk-free.
“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the impacted products,” the FDA stated in its warning. Milk is one of the top nine food allergens that must be listed clearly on food labels under U.S. law. Incorrect labeling can put lives at risk, especially for children and adults who rely on those labels to avoid allergic reactions.
Which Products Are Involved in the Recall
The recall affects two kinds of semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils made by Weaver Nut Company:
- Nonpareils with Christmas-colored seeds (Item 47518), lot numbers: 204206, 204207, 204208, 204209, 204212, 224225
- Nonpareils with white seeds (Item D2645), lot numbers: 204214-RL, 204214, 204215, 224221, 224222, 224223, 135215, 135216, 135217, 135220, 135221, 145204, 145205-1, 145207-1, 145210-1
These products were sold in stores all over the U.S., including both grocery and retail chains. If you or someone in your household has a milk allergy, you should not eat these products. Return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund, or throw them away—even if the package is already open.
How the Company is Responding
Angela Nolt, a spokesperson for Weaver Nut Company, said the business is reacting seriously. “[Weaver] is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its products,” she said. The company is working with the FDA to figure out how the milk contamination happened and to prevent it from happening again.
So far, no allergic reactions or illnesses have been reported, but both the company and the FDA are continuing to monitor the situation closely. Weaver Nut has also shared images of the affected products on the FDA website to help consumers identify them more easily.
