Chocolates Facing Immediate Recall

We're lucky Valentine's Day has already past. Two different companies have declared voluntary recalls after the mislabeling of some chocolate products posed the risk of mistakenly causing dangerous allergic reactions among sensitive consumers, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Fannie May Confections Brands, Inc. is recalling cases of its "spring wrapped" assorted chocolates after distributors realized that the boxes contained one piece of candy that contained peanuts, despite the fact that these products' labeling does not warn consumers of this.

Because the peanut allergy can lead to potentially deadly reactions, it is taken extremely seriously in the United States. Federal regulators require all producers containing even trace amounts of the peanut oil to state as much in a clear warning on the products warning. Products containing whole peanuts, such as the chocolate piece in question, pose even greater risks.

Because of this, Fannie May has recalled the product, which was shipped to retailers in seven states and was available for sale by March 3. There have been no reported incidents of reaction to the candy so far.

In a similar case, Simply Natural Foods, LLC of Commack, N.Y. is recalling its 85g dark chocolate bar after FDA testing indicated that the bars contained significantly higher levels of milk protein than what was indicated on the labeling.

According to the FDA, levels were high enough that people who have elevated sensitivity to the milk protein allergy "may risk serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product."

Simply Lite Dark Chocolate Bars were distributed to 11 U.S. states in total, mostly along the east and west coasts.

Much like in the previously mentioned chocolate recall, the product is being voluntarily recalled by the distributor in an "excess of caution."

Descriptions of both chocolate products, along with the locations where they were shipped can be found in their respective FDA public warning releases.

Famine May release for March 17.

Simply Natural release for March 17.