Nationwide Alert: Chocolate Recall!

In a concerning development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of several hundred units of Authentik Fudge’s Chocolate Fudge with Nuts due to potential mold contamination. The recall, affecting 840 units of the product, was officially announced on Wednesday. The Canadian company behind the popular confectionery, Authentik Fudge, markets the product under the brand name “Montreal Fudge.”

According to the FDA, the product is packaged in a distinctive 5.6-ounce box, featuring an orange top and a white background. The packaging prominently displays an image of three fudge pieces with the phrase “individually wrapped.” These products were distributed to various retailers between June 19 and June 20, finding their way to select Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores across 40 states in the U.S.

States where the recalled fudge was sold include Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming at TJ Maxx locations. Marshalls stores in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming also carried the affected product.

The recall was triggered after a consumer reported discovering mold in an unopened box of the fudge. Following the complaint, the company conducted an internal investigation and identified that “some remaining unpacked sealed products at the manufacturing site had beginning signs of mold.” Although no illnesses have been reported so far, the FDA and the manufacturer are urging consumers to take precautions.

Three specific lot numbers are associated with the recall, each with its expiration date printed on the back of the packaging:

– Lot 0241500805, expiring on 2025/MR/01
– Lot 0241690105, expiring on 2025/MR/17
– Lot 0241690205, expiring on 2025/MR/17

Consumers who purchased any of the affected lots are strongly advised to either destroy the product or return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. As stated in the FDA release, “Consumers who have purchased those affected products are urged to destroy them or to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

For further inquiries, customers can contact Authentik Fudge via email at [email protected] or by phone at 450-649-1331 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

In a related recall, Kalo Foods LLC issued a notice earlier this week for slices of chocolate cake due to incorrect labeling. The labels failed to disclose that the product contained soy, a known allergen. This recall has been classified as a Class II risk by the FDA, indicating that the use of the product could lead to temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, although the probability of serious harm is considered remote.

With these recalls in mind, consumers are encouraged to check their purchases and stay informed about potential risks associated with food products. This latest incident underscores the importance of vigilance and the role of regulatory bodies like the FDA in safeguarding public health.