An Illinois-based company has recalled two chocolate products as they may contain undeclared allergens, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.
Silvestri Sweets Inc. issued the voluntary recall on November 26 for its Choceur branded Cookie Butter Holiday Bark due to possible undeclared pecans, and its Cookie Butter Holiday Bark due to possible undeclared wheat.
Newsweek contacted Silvestri Sweets Inc. for comment by phone outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Tree nuts – including pecans – and wheat are two of the nine major food allergens as defined in law. The others are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, soybeans and sesame.
The FDA said that people with allergies to wheat or pecans run the “risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, which may include fatal respiratory problems.
What To Know
The products impacted by the recall are the following:
- Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark 5 oz. – lot number: 29225 – best-by date: 05/2026
- Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark 5 oz. – lot number: 29225 – best-by date: 08/2026
The products were sold in pouch bags, and distributed at Aldi stores nationwide.
The recall was issued after it was discovered that the pecan, cranberry and cinnamon product had been packaged in the cookie butter packages, which led to undeclared pecans being present. Meanwhile, the cookie butter product was also packaged in the pecan, cranberry and cinnamon packages, which caused undeclared wheat to the present, the FDA said.
As of November 26, no illnesses had been reported by the FDA in connection with the consumption of the recalled products.
What People Are Saying
The FDA said in the recall notice: “Subsequent investigation indicates the problem may have been caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.”
The agency adds on its website: “People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”
The organization Food Allergy Research & Education says on its website: “Approximately 33 million people in the United States have at least one food allergy. Nearly 11 percent of adults aged 18 or older have at least one food allergy. This is more than 27 million adults.”
What Happens Next
The recall is ongoing, according to the FDA.
Consumers who purchased the affected products are urged to discard them or contact Silvestri Sweets on 1-630-232-2500.