Recalls Involving Plastic and Salmonella

Well, we had a good two weeks run with no chocolate related recalls but sadly there are more to share with you and they involve some of the great products we've featured in the past and some well-known brands. I'll separate the recalls by ----- marks and provide limits back to the FDA announcement page for each one. My commentary is in italics.

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Entenmann’s Recalls

HORSHAM, PA – Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of Entenmann’s Little Bites Fudge Brownies (5 pack), Chocolate Chip Muffins (5 pack and 10 pack boxes) and Variety Pack (20 pack) due to the presence of small pieces of plastic caused by a manufacturing failure at a contract manufacturer’s bakery in Illinois. The product being recalled has “Best By” dates, UPC codes and was distributed in the states identified below. In each case, the code number “3098” is printed next to the Best By date on the outside of the box. (I haven't had these personally but we are big fans of their donuts in my house.)

Entenmann’s Little Bites Fudge Brownies – 5 pack (Net Weight 9.75 oz.); Best By Date: October 8, 2016/3098; UPC Code 7203001342

Entenmann’s Little Bites Chocolate Chip Muffins – 5 pack (Net Weight 8.25 oz.);Best By Date: October 8, 2016/3098: UPC Code 7203001353


Entenmann’s Little Bites Chocolate Chip Muffins – 10 pack (Net Weight 1 lb. 0.5 oz.); Best By Date: October 8, 2016/3098; UPC Code 7203002111 (could not find an image of these)

Entenmann’s Little Bites Variety – 20 pack (Fudge Brownies, Chocolate Chip Muffins and Blueberry Muffins – Net Weight 2 lb. 2.5 oz.); Best By Date: September 24, 2016/ 3098; UPC Code 7203001799 (could not find a decent image)

The product was distributed to retail stores in the last two weeks.

The company announced the recall after receiving consumer reports of plastic in product. One injury was reported. FDA has been notified on this voluntary recall.

All recalled products are being removed from store shelves. No other Entenmann’s products are affected.


Consumers who have purchased the recalled product should dispose of it or they can return the product to its place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-984-0989 at any time 24 hours a day.

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Asher's Chocolates/Lewistown, Inc. Recalls

This one is sad for me because we have featured a few of Asher's Chocolates creations and they were always wonderful. But this happens and I'm hopeful that they will be cleaning their facilities so they can put out quality chocolate again.

Asher’s Chocolates/Lewistown, Inc., an affiliated partner of Chester A. Asher Inc. (“Asher’s”) is initiating a voluntary recall of multiple chocolates, chocolate bars, cellophane wrapped chocolates, and individually wrapped chocolates, etc. under the Asher’s brand due to possible Salmonella contamination of items produced in their Lewistown, PA facility distributed nationwide.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.


Asher’s Brand Products under this voluntary recall are too numerous for us to list here so please look at the link in this recall header but we'll include a few sample photos.

The recalled items can be identified by the production code printed on the side of the label. No other production codes are affected by this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. No products manufactured by C.A. Asher Inc./Asher’s Chocolate Co. of Souderton PA are involved in this recall.

The recalled candy products were distributed nationwide in retail stores.

The potential for contamination was noted after a single sample from routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in a group of products. “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our primary concern, and we are taking this incident very seriously. In our 124 years of business, we have never previously detected Salmonella in our testing. We are working and cooperating fully with the U. S. Food & Drug Administration on this voluntary recall,” said Jeff Asher, President and CEO. “We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience.”


Consumers who may have purchased any product are urged not to consume it. Consumers should contact Customer Service to arrange for return of product and a refund. Customer Service can be contacted by email at customerservice@lewistownashers.com or by calling 888-288-3880 between 9AM and 5PM Eastern Time, Monday - Friday.

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