Spring & Mulberry expanded its voluntary recall of chocolate bars Tuesday due to possible Salmonella contamination, widening the scope beyond the initial Mint Leaf flavor announced two days earlier.
The Raleigh, North Carolina-based chocolate manufacturer issued an updated press release January 14, 2026, expanding the recall that was first announced January 12. The company cited possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria as the reason for the precautionary action.
The FDA posted the recall notice as a safety alert, indicating federal oversight of the expanding food safety concern. The original recall covered only the Mint Leaf variety of the company's chocolate bars, but the expansion suggests broader contamination risks within the manufacturing facility or supply chain.
Salmonella contamination poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations including young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. The bacteria can cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness characterized by symptoms including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Symptoms typically develop six to 72 hours after consumption and can last four to seven days.
While most people recover without treatment, severe cases can require hospitalization if the infection spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States annually.
Food manufacturers are required to maintain strict safety protocols to prevent bacterial contamination during production. The expansion of Spring & Mulberry's recall suggests that contamination may have occurred at multiple points in the manufacturing process or affected ingredients used across different product lines.
Voluntary recalls demonstrate companies taking proactive steps to protect consumer safety when potential hazards are identified. The FDA monitors such recalls and can mandate expanded action if companies fail to adequately address contamination risks. Federal regulations require manufacturers to implement preventive controls and maintain sanitary conditions throughout food production facilities.
Consumers who have purchased Spring & Mulberry chocolate bars should check product packaging to determine if their items are included in the expanded recall. The company's initial announcement referenced a table with specific product information, though those details were not included in the FDA's safety alert posting.
People who have consumed potentially contaminated products and experience symptoms consistent with Salmonella infection should seek medical attention, particularly if symptoms are severe or persistent. Healthcare providers can perform tests to confirm Salmonella infection and determine appropriate treatment.
The recall expansion highlights ongoing challenges in food safety monitoring and the importance of robust manufacturing controls. Chocolate production involves multiple ingredients and processing steps that can introduce contamination risks if proper safeguards are not maintained.
Spring & Mulberry's decision to expand the recall demonstrates appropriate responsiveness to emerging safety concerns. Companies that quickly address potential contamination issues often avoid more severe regulatory action and protect their brand reputation through transparent communication with consumers and regulators.
The FDA's involvement ensures federal oversight of the recall process and coordination with state health authorities who monitor foodborne illness outbreaks. The agency can trace contamination sources and verify that companies take adequate corrective actions to prevent future incidents.
This recall follows established protocols for voluntary food safety actions, where manufacturers work cooperatively with federal regulators to remove potentially dangerous products from commerce. The two-day gap between the initial and expanded recalls suggests ongoing investigation revealed broader contamination risks.
Consumers should dispose of recalled products or return them to retailers for refunds. The expansion of this recall underscores the importance of monitoring FDA safety alerts and checking household food items against recall notices to prevent potential illness.