If you’ve got a chocolate bar stashed in a desk drawer “for emergencies” (a very real category), now is the time to check the wrapper. A newly announced chocolate bar recall is circulating in January 2026, and it’s tied to a food-safety concern that can turn a sweet snack into a stressful phone call: possible Salmonella contamination.
Here’s what we know so far, how to identify the affected product, and the most practical steps to take if you already bought it. The main takeaway is simple: don’t eat any chocolate included in the recall, and don’t assume “it looks fine” means it’s safe.
What the Chocolate Bars Recall Is About
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a company announcement stating that Spring & Mulberry is voluntarily recalling a specific lot of its Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar because of possible Salmonella contamination.
This is not a “taste issue” or a label typo. Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, and the company says the concern was identified after routine testing by a third-party laboratory.
Which Chocolate Bar Is Recalled?
According to the FDA posting, the recall applies to Spring & Mulberry Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar (2.1 oz), specifically lot #025255. The FDA says the product can be identified by the teal “Mint Leaf” packaging and the lot code printed on the back of the packaging and the inner flow wrap.
The FDA notice also states the recalled lot has been available for purchase online and through select retail partners nationwide since September 15, 2025.
How to check your chocolate bar at home
Flip the package over and look for the lot code. If it matches #025255, treat it as part of the recall and do not eat it. If your bar is the same flavor but a different lot code, the FDA posting only names the lot above—still, when in doubt, use the company’s contact info listed in the recall notice to confirm.
Why Salmonella Recalls Matter (Even If You Feel Fine)
Salmonella infections don’t always show up instantly, and symptoms can range from miserable-but-temporary to dangerous for people at higher risk. The FDA notice warns that Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
In the FDA’s description, symptoms can include fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and lead to more severe illness.
If you’re looking for general food-safety guidance on what to do after a recall notice, the federal portal FoodSafety.gov is designed as a hub for recall and safety information.
What to Do If You Bought the Recalled Chocolate Bar
Start with the practical steps first, then deal with refunds second. The FDA posting says customers who purchased the affected product should dispose of it. It also states customers may request a refund by contacting Spring & Mulberry at the email listed in the announcement and providing a photo of the lot code.
In plain English: don’t taste-test it “just to see,” don’t bake with it, and don’t chop it into cookies like that somehow cancels out bacteria. If it’s the recalled lot, it’s a no-go.
If you already ate it
Most people who are exposed won’t automatically become severely ill, but you should pay attention to symptoms over the next several days. The FDA announcement says anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
If you’re in a higher-risk group (young child, older adult, pregnancy, or an immune condition), it’s reasonable to be more cautious and contact a healthcare provider for advice—especially if symptoms are intense, persistent, or include dehydration.
Were There Any Reported Illnesses?
As of the FDA posting date (January 12, 2026), the company announcement says there have been no reported illnesses or adverse health effects tied to this recall so far.
That’s good news, but it doesn’t mean the risk is imaginary. Many recalls are “proactive,” meaning the concern is caught through testing or investigation before a wave of illnesses is detected.
How Recalls Like This Happen (And Why They’re Common in Packaged Foods)
Food recalls often come from one of three places: internal company checks, regulatory inspections, or third-party testing. In this case, Spring & Mulberry says the potential contamination was identified after routine testing by a third-party lab.
Chocolate feels “safe” because it’s shelf-stable and doesn’t look like raw chicken, but food-safety risks can still happen during ingredient sourcing, processing, packaging, or storage. When a company recalls a specific lot, it usually means the concern is tied to a limited production window or batch rather than every product they make.
Not All Chocolate Recalls Are About Bacteria
It’s also worth remembering that “recall” doesn’t always mean contamination with germs. Sometimes it’s about foreign material, labeling, or allergens. For example, in April 2025, Tony’s Chocolonely recalled select lots of certain bars due to potential small stones in the chocolate, according to consumer reporting summarized by Allrecipes.
Different cause, same smart habit: check the lot details and follow the recall instructions exactly. If you keep specialty chocolate around the house (or office), make it a routine to glance at recall notices once in a while—especially after the holidays when people restock pantry treats.
How to Stay Updated on Food Recalls
The safest source for official recall details is the FDA’s recall and safety alert system. For this specific incident, the FDA page includes the recall summary, the lot information, and product photos that can help you
confirm what you have. For broader recall awareness, FoodSafety.gov is a convenient “one stop” hub that points to official recall and outbreak information from federal agencies.
Bottom Line
If you have Spring & Mulberry’s Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar, check for lot #0. If it matches, don’t eat it, dispose of it, and use the company contact instructions in the FDA notice to request a refund.
And if you already ate it, don’t panic—but do pay attention to symptoms, especially if anyone in
your household is in a higher-risk group. Sometimes the most “practical” move is also the least dramatic one: confirm the lot, follow the recall guidance, and let the chocolate go. There will be other treats. Preferably ones that don’t come with a bacteria cameo.
