Issue of extensive chocolate recall elevated to highest danger level due to concerns about ‘negative health effects or fatalities’.

The FDA has urgently upgraded the risk level of some of the products included in a chocolate recall – warning that the products could cause death. 

Suisun Valley, California’s Cal Yee Farm candy company requested customers in nine states to return some chocolate and yogurt-covered snacks on December 12, 2024.

FDA inspectors discovered undeclared substances – including milk, wheat, sesame, soy and coloring agent Yellow 6 – in several Cal Yee Farm products. 

The risk level of three of the recalled items has been bumped up to the highest classification, according to the New York Post. 

The FDA revealed in an update on January 22 that the Dark Chocolate Almonds, Dark Chocolate Apricots, and Dark Chocolate Walnuts from the company have been given a Class 1 recall rating due to the presence of undeclared milk.

Class 1 recalls are the most severe type of food recalls, characterized by the FDA as a scenario where the use of a product that violates regulations could lead to serious adverse health effects or even death.

Arizona, California, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia are the nine states included in the recall. 

The food items were also sold online, so officials have warned that they may be available in other states.  

Cal Yee Farm, a Suisun Valley, California-based candy company, first called back some of their chocolate and yogurt covered snacks on December 12, 2024

The FDA reported that the company’s Dark Chocolate Almonds, Dark Chocolate Apricots and Dark Chocolate Walnuts have been given a Class 1 recall rating for containing undeclared milk

The other recalled products are: Yogurt Coated Almonds, Dark Chocolate Raisins, Butter Toffee Almonds, Tropical Trail Mix, Mango with Chili, Cajun Sesame Hot Sticks, New Orleans Hot Mix, Butter Toffee Almonds and select Fruit Baskets. 

The products were sold in either 8oz, 1lb, 2lb or 5lb sizes – a full list of products has been published by the FDA. 

Items are packaged in clear plastic zipper pouches with bright yellow labels on the front. 

In the alert, the FDA advised consumers to throw out the recalled products or return them to the seller for a full refund. No illnesses related to the warning have been reported. 

Officials warned: ‘People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, Yellow 6 and almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.’

Cal Yee Farm is a family-owned business with more than 60 years of experience, according to the brand’s website.

‘Over the years, we have strived to provide the highest quality of dried fruits and nuts to all our customers in the U.S. and abroad. Our pledge is to provide the best customer service and fulfill all of our customers’ needs,’ Cal Yee Farm wrote. 

On Wednesday, the company addressed the recall on the website, writing: ‘We did a voluntary recall on undeclared milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds in snack products, due to outdated labels which did not specify allergen statement.

Cal Yee Farm is a family-owned business with more than 60 years of experience, according to the brand’s website

‘Labels are now consistent with known allergens.’

An urgent recall for Lay’s potato chips has also been escalated to the highest level for containing undeclared milk.  

The FDA revealed the affected products are bags of 13 oz Lay’s Classic Potato Chips distributed in Oregon and Washington.

Around 4.9 million American suffer from milk allergies and it is one of the most common food allergies in children. 

Symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems.

In severe cases, the condition can also cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction that narrows the airways and can block breathing.