The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a major voluntary recall on Wednesday affecting two popular chocolate bar flavors produced by Tony’s Chocolonely. The company is pulling specific batches of its Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bar products from shelves nationwide after consumers reported finding small stones embedded in the chocolate.
The recall comes after at least 12 customers outside North America discovered foreign objects in their chocolate bars. While no injuries have been reported, the FDA is urging consumers to check their pantries and immediately stop eating any affected products.
Which Chocolate Bars Are Being Recalled
Tony’s Chocolonely has identified seven specific production batches that may contain small stones due to an issue during the almond harvesting and processing stage. The affected products include the Everything Bar, a milk chocolate treat mixed with caramel, pretzel, almond nougat, and sea salt, as well as the Dark Almond Sea Salt bar.
These chocolates were distributed across the United States starting in February 2024, sold in retail stores and through the company’s official website. Consumers can determine whether their chocolate is part of the recall by checking the lot code, best-by date, and UPC number printed on the packaging.
Why Were These Products Recalled
According to the FDA, the contamination occurred when small stones slipped through quality control measures during the processing of almonds used in the chocolate bars. While the risk of serious harm is considered low, consuming a product with foreign objects could pose a choking hazard or damage teeth.
Tony’s Chocolonely has stated that all reports of stones came from outside North America, but the company is taking precautionary action to ensure customer safety. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the FDA to prevent any potential health risks.
What Should Consumers Do
Customers who have purchased Tony’s Chocolonely Dark Almond Sea Salt or Everything Bar chocolate should immediately check their products against the recalled lot codes. If a match is found, the FDA advises not to consume the chocolate. Instead, consumers should either return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of it safely.
For those who bought the chocolate online, Tony’s Chocolonely has set up a dedicated section on its website where customers can verify whether their product is affected and submit refund requests. The company has apologized for the inconvenience and assured customers that it is working to strengthen its quality control processes to prevent similar issues in the future.
Final Safety Reminder
While no injuries have been linked to this recall, the FDA emphasizes the importance of checking food products for any signs of contamination before consumption. Consumers with questions or concerns can contact Tony’s Chocolonely customer service directly or visit the FDA’s official recall announcements page for updates.
This recall serves as a reminder of the complexities in food supply chains and the importance of rigorous safety checks—especially when natural ingredients like nuts are involved. Customers are encouraged to stay informed and take immediate action if they possess any of the affected chocolate bars.
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