Spring & Mulberry, a North Carolina-based chocolate company known for crafting date-sweetened chocolate bars, has significantly expanded its nationwide recall after concerns emerged over possible Salmonella contamination linked to one of its ingredients. The latest recall now affects all 12 flavors produced by the company, marking the second major expansion of the safety alert in recent months.
The recall announcement, issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, follows an ongoing investigation into contaminated date ingredients used in the manufacturing process. Federal regulators stated that a single lot of dates has been identified as the most likely source of the contamination risk, prompting the company to voluntarily remove all potentially impacted products from circulation.
Although no illnesses have been reported so far, the expanded recall has raised fresh concerns among consumers who purchased the products online or through retail stores nationwide since August 2025.
Why Spring & Mulberry Expanded Its Chocolate Recall
The FDA revealed that investigators traced the issue back to a specific batch of dates used in the company’s chocolate production. Since Spring & Mulberry uses dates as the exclusive sweetener in its chocolate bars, regulators determined that all products made using the affected ingredient lot should be recalled as a precautionary measure.
Initially, only a smaller selection of products had been included in the recall. However, after further review and testing, the recall was widened to include every chocolate variety sold by the company.
According to federal officials, the expansion demonstrates a proactive effort to protect consumers while the investigation continues.
The FDA stated that all finished chocolate products tested negative for Salmonella contamination. Despite the negative test results, officials emphasized that the recall remains necessary because the implicated ingredient lot may still pose a potential health risk.
Complete List of Recalled Spring & Mulberry Chocolate Bars
The latest recall now includes every flavor currently sold by Spring & Mulberry. Consumers are being advised to carefully inspect any products purchased from the company and compare them with the affected flavors and lot numbers.
The recalled chocolate bar varieties include:
Blood Orange Chocolate Bars
One of the newly added flavors in the expanded recall is the Blood Orange chocolate bar. The product combines dark chocolate with citrus notes and had not been part of the earlier recall rounds.
Coffee Chocolate Bars
The Coffee flavor has also been added to the updated recall list. This chocolate variety features coffee-infused dark chocolate sweetened entirely with dates.
Pure Dark Chocolate Bars
Spring & Mulberry’s Pure Dark chocolate bars are now included as part of the nationwide recall expansion. This flavor is one of the company’s flagship products.
Sea Salt Chocolate Bars
The Sea Salt variety was another product added during the latest recall update announced by federal regulators.
Previously Recalled Chocolate Flavors Still Included
The earlier recalled products remain part of the expanded warning and include:
Mint Leaf Chocolate Bars
Mint Leaf bars were among the first products identified in the original recall announcement.
Earl Grey Chocolate Bars
The Earl Grey variety combines tea-inspired flavoring with dark chocolate and date sweetening.
Lavender Rose Chocolate Bars
This floral-infused chocolate product continues to be included in the FDA recall notice.
Mango Chili Chocolate Bars
The Mango Chili flavor remains affected due to its use of the implicated date ingredient lot.
Mixed Berry Chocolate Bars
Mixed Berry bars are also still part of the expanded recall list.
Mulberry Fennel Chocolate Bars
The Mulberry Fennel variety remains under recall as part of the nationwide advisory.
Pecan Date Chocolate Bars
Pecan Date bars are among the products consumers should avoid consuming immediately.
Pure Dark Minis
The smaller Pure Dark Minis products continue to be affected by the recall.
FDA Investigation Points to Date Ingredient as Likely Source
The FDA’s investigation focused heavily on the company’s supply chain, particularly the date ingredients used to sweeten the chocolate products. Since Spring & Mulberry markets itself as a healthier chocolate alternative that avoids refined sugar, dates are a key ingredient across nearly every product line.
Federal regulators explained that a single date ingredient lot appears to be the common factor connecting all recalled products. Although testing on finished chocolate bars came back negative, officials warned that contamination may still be possible if the ingredient itself was exposed to harmful bacteria.
Food recalls linked to contaminated ingredients are not uncommon, especially when raw agricultural products are involved. Ingredients such as nuts, dried fruits, spices, and produce can occasionally become contaminated during harvesting, processing, storage, or transportation.
Understanding the Risk of Salmonella Contamination
Salmonella is a dangerous type of bacteria that can cause serious foodborne illness in humans. Health officials frequently warn consumers about Salmonella outbreaks because the bacteria can spread quickly through contaminated food products.
Common Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella may experience several unpleasant symptoms, including:
Fever and Chills
One of the most common early symptoms is fever, often accompanied by fatigue and body aches.
Diarrhea and Digestive Problems
Salmonella infections frequently cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Nausea and Vomiting
Many patients report nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite during infection.
Abdominal Pain
Painful stomach cramping is another common symptom associated with Salmonella poisoning.
Symptoms can begin anywhere from a few hours to several days after consuming contaminated food.
Who Faces the Highest Risk From Salmonella?
Although many healthy adults recover without medical treatment, some groups face significantly higher risks of severe illness.
Young Children
Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing.
Elderly Individuals
Older adults often face greater complications from foodborne illnesses due to weakened immune function.
People With Compromised Immune Systems
Individuals undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, or people with chronic illnesses may experience more serious infections.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should also exercise caution because severe dehydration and infection complications can pose additional risks.
Rare but Serious Complications Linked to Salmonella
While many cases resolve on their own, severe Salmonella infections can sometimes spread beyond the digestive system and enter the bloodstream.
Health experts warn that rare complications may include:
Bloodstream Infections
If Salmonella enters the bloodstream, it can trigger dangerous systemic infections requiring hospitalization.
Endocarditis
In rare cases, the bacteria may infect the inner lining of the heart, leading to a condition known as endocarditis.
Arterial Infections
Some severe infections can affect blood vessels and arteries.
Reactive Arthritis
Certain individuals may develop long-term joint pain and arthritis-like symptoms after infection.
Because of these potential complications, health officials strongly recommend avoiding any recalled products even if they appear safe to eat.
Full List of Affected Recall Lot Numbers
Consumers are being urged to check the batch codes printed on both the outer box and inner wrapper packaging.
The affected lot numbers include:
025217, 025289, 025325, 025226, 025274, 025344, 025346, 025204, 025205, 025212, 025216, 026037, 026040, 025245, 025322, 025328, 025225, 025272, 025342, 025364, 025220, 025223, 025247, 025248, 025251, 025253, 025288, 025296, 025335, 026008, 025230, 025287, 025233, 025237, 025238, 025239, 025240, 025241, 025290, 025294, 025329, 025330, 025217, 025218, 025219, 025254, 025266, 025269, 025324, 025338, 025350, 025302, 025303, 026009, 026013, and 026014.
Consumers who locate any of these lot numbers are advised not to consume the product under any circumstances.
What Consumers Should Do If They Purchased Recalled Chocolate
Federal regulators and the company are urging customers to dispose of the recalled products immediately or return them through the company’s refund process.
Do Not Eat the Chocolate Products
Even though no illnesses have been reported and finished products tested negative, officials stress that consumers should avoid eating any recalled chocolate bars.
Dispose of Products Safely
Consumers should throw away the affected items in sealed containers to prevent accidental consumption.
Request a Refund
To receive a refund, customers must email the company with a photo of the product packaging that clearly displays the batch code.
How Food Recalls Impact Consumer Trust
Food recalls often have a lasting impact on consumer confidence, particularly when health concerns involve contamination risks like Salmonella. For smaller specialty food brands such as Spring & Mulberry, maintaining transparency during recalls is critical to preserving customer trust.
The company’s decision to voluntarily expand the recall may help reassure consumers that safety concerns are being addressed aggressively, even in the absence of confirmed illnesses.
Still, repeated recall expansions can create uncertainty among shoppers, especially those who specifically purchased the products for their natural ingredients and health-focused branding.
Growing Concerns Over Ingredient Supply Chains in Specialty Foods
The Spring & Mulberry recall also highlights broader concerns surrounding ingredient sourcing and food safety within the specialty food industry.
Many health-focused brands rely on minimally processed ingredients sourced globally from multiple suppliers. While these ingredients appeal to consumers seeking natural alternatives, they can also present unique food safety challenges if contamination occurs during harvesting or transportation.
Dates, dried fruits, nuts, and other raw ingredients may be exposed to bacteria if sanitation standards are compromised at any point in the supply chain.
As demand for healthier snack options continues growing, food manufacturers face increasing pressure to strengthen testing, supplier oversight, and contamination prevention systems.
FDA Continues Monitoring the Recall Situation
The FDA has stated that it will continue monitoring the situation while working alongside the company during the recall process. Regulators may issue further updates if additional information becomes available.
Consumers are encouraged to stay informed through official FDA recall notices and monitor any symptoms if they believe they may have consumed affected products.
Anyone experiencing severe illness after consuming recalled chocolate products should contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Final Thoughts on the Spring & Mulberry Chocolate Recall
The expanded recall involving all 12 Spring & Mulberry chocolate flavors underscores the seriousness with which food safety concerns are handled in the United States. Even without confirmed illnesses, regulators and manufacturers are taking precautionary steps to reduce any potential risk associated with contaminated ingredients.
For consumers, the situation serves as another reminder of the importance of checking recall notices, monitoring product lot numbers, and responding quickly when food safety alerts are issued.