A specialty chocolate company just expanded its recall from one flavor to eight after discovering salmonella lurking in premium chocolate bars sold nationwide, and nobody’s gotten sick yet—which makes this story far more interesting than it sounds.
Story Snapshot
- Spring & Mulberry voluntarily recalled eight flavors of date-sweetened chocolate bars after routine testing detected salmonella contamination
- The recall expanded from one flavor to eight within two days as the company consulted with the FDA about products made on the same equipment
- Despite potential Salmonella presence, no illnesses have been reported among consumers who purchased the affected products
- Affected bars include specialty flavors like Earl Grey, Lavender Rose, and Mango Chili sold through Amazon and specialty retailers since September 2025
When Testing Beats Tragedy
Spring & Mulberry caught a problem most companies never want to face. The Raleigh, North Carolina, chocolate maker launched its date-sweetened specialty bars on September 15, 2025, targeting health-conscious consumers willing to pay premium prices for refined-sugar-free indulgence.
Four months later, routine third-party laboratory testing flagged Salmonella in the Mint Leaf flavor. The company announced its first recall on January 12, 2026, pulling Lot #025255 from shelves. Two days later, the recall ballooned to include seven additional flavors manufactured during the same production window.
Additional chocolate bars have been added to an already-expanded recall launched over possible salmonella contamination. https://t.co/J6MscnouPh
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 10, 2026
The expansion wasn’t triggered by consumer complaints or hospitalizations. The company consulted with the FDA and made a precautionary call based on salmonella’s notoriously intermittent behavior. The bacterium doesn’t spread evenly through contaminated products, making it difficult to detect and easy to miss.
One batch might test clean while the next harbors enough pathogens to sicken dozens. Spring & Mulberry’s decision to recall everything produced on the same equipment during the same period reflects an understanding of how contamination spreads in food manufacturing facilities.
Eight Flavors, Twenty-Three Lot Numbers, Zero Illnesses
The recall covers Earl Grey in purple boxes, Lavender Rose in light blue, Mango Chili in orange, Mint Leaf in teal, Mixed Berry in purple, Mulberry Fennel in burgundy, Pecan Date in yellow, and Pure Dark Minis in blue packaging. Twenty-three distinct lot numbers appear on the FDA’s official recall list.
Consumers holding any of these products face a straightforward choice: throw them away or email [email protected] with a photo of the lot code for refund processing. The company established this direct communication channel rather than routing customers through retail partners.
Salmonella infection typically produces diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that last about seven days. Most people recover without treatment, but vulnerable populations—elderly consumers, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and young children—face greater risk of severe complications including dehydration requiring hospitalization.
The CDC acknowledges that salmonella can cause death in extreme cases, though such outcomes remain rare with proper medical intervention. The absence of reported illnesses suggests either limited consumption of contaminated products or successful intervention before widespread distribution reached consumers’ hands.
Premium Positioning Meets Production Reality
Spring & Mulberry positioned itself in the specialty natural foods market, distinguishing its products through date-based sweetening rather than refined sugar. This positioning attracts consumers willing to pay higher prices for perceived health benefits and unique flavor combinations like lavender rose and mulberry fennel.
The company distributed through Amazon and specialty grocery retailers, channels that provide access to urban markets where premium food products find receptive audiences. The contamination discovery threatens not just immediate sales but the brand trust essential for premium positioning.
The recall raises questions about the company’s contract manufacturing relationship. Third-party testing identified the contamination, suggesting the manufacturer maintains quality control protocols.
However, the spread of salmonella across multiple flavors produced during the same period indicates either ingredient contamination, equipment sanitation failures, or environmental contamination within the production facility.
Raw ingredients including cocoa and dates can harbor salmonella, as can improperly sanitized equipment and contaminated production environments. Without public disclosure of the contamination source, consumers and competitors can only speculate about the specific failure that introduced pathogens into the production stream.
Precautionary Principles Versus Business Survival
The expansion from one flavor to eight demonstrates either commendable caution or regulatory pressure depending on one’s perspective. The company’s official statement emphasizes consultation with the FDA and acknowledges salmonella’s intermittent detection challenges. This transparent communication aligns with regulatory expectations for voluntary recalls.
The FDA’s involvement ensures proper scope determination and consumer notification, but the agency’s behind-the-scenes role in shaping recall decisions remains opaque to outside observers. Did Spring & Mulberry expand proactively, or did FDA officials strongly suggest broader action?
More chocolate bars added to nationwide recall over possible contaminationhttps://t.co/xhOQlbTIv9
— The Hill (@thehill) May 10, 2026
For a specialty food company of this size, the financial impact likely proves significant. Direct costs include product replacement, refund processing, and recall administration expenses. Indirect costs encompass lost sales during the recall period, potential permanent loss of retail shelf space, brand damage affecting future purchases, and possible litigation if illnesses eventually emerge.
Insurance coverage may offset some expenses, but premium increases following a recall can burden small manufacturers for years. The company’s survival depends on transparent communication, demonstrated safety improvements, and consumer willingness to give the brand a second chance.
What Consumers Should Actually Do
Anyone holding Spring & Mulberry chocolate bars should check the lot numbers against the FDA’s published list. The lot code appears on the product packaging alongside the box color that helps identify affected flavors. All other lot codes remain unaffected and safe for consumption according to current information.
Consumers should dispose of recalled products immediately rather than consuming them, regardless of whether they’ve already eaten portions without apparent illness. Salmonella’s intermittent distribution means some bars in a recalled lot may contain dangerous levels while others test clean.
The refund process requires emailing a photo of the lot code to the company’s dedicated recall address. This verification prevents fraudulent refund claims while documenting recall compliance for regulatory purposes. Consumers who already consumed recalled products without symptoms need not panic, as most salmonella infections resolve without treatment.
However, anyone developing diarrhea, fever, or severe abdominal cramps after consuming these products should seek medical attention and inform healthcare providers about potential salmonella exposure. The typical seven-day illness duration means symptoms appearing weeks after consumption likely stem from other sources.
Sources:
Spring and Mulberry Chocolate Bar Recall for Salmonella Risk – Consumer Reports
Chocolate Bars Pulled From Shelves Nationwide Over Salmonella Concerns – Fox Business
