Specialty chocolate bars are being removed from store shelves after concerns were raised about possible salmonella contamination, the US Food and Drug Administration said on January 12. Spring & Mulberry has announced a voluntary recall of its Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar, which has been sold online and at selected retail locations across the country since September, the FDA confirmed. The issue was flagged during routine testing carried out by an independent laboratory. So far, no illnesses or negative health effects linked to the product have been reported.As per The Independent, consumers who purchased the recalled chocolate are being advised to throw it away and seek a refund from Spring & Mulberry. The company has asked customers to contact them directly and provide a photograph of the chocolate bar showing the affected lot code.Chocolate Bars Sold Across The US Recalled Over Salmonella ConcernsA well-known chocolate brand has issued a recall after possible salmonella contamination was detected. Spring & Mulberry, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based company, voluntarily recalled its Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar following routine third-party testing that found traces of salmonella, according to an FDA notice released Monday. The recalled bars have been sold online and through selected retail partners since September 15, 2025. Consumers can identify the affected product by its teal-colored packaging and the lot code 025255 printed on the back of the box and the inner wrapper.What Is Salmonella?Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and, in some cases, life-threatening infections, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. Symptoms of salmonella infection may include:Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improvementDiarrhea accompanied by a fever above 102 degreesSevere vomiting that makes it difficult to keep fluids downSigns of dehydration such as dry mouth, reduced urination, and dizziness when standingAbdominal crampsSymptoms usually appear between six hours and six days after exposure. While most people recover within four to seven days, those at higher risk, including children under 5 and adults over 65, may develop more severe illness that requires medical care or hospitalization.Affected Lot Code For Recalled ChocolatesThe recalled Spring & Mulberry chocolate carries the lot code #025255. This code applies specifically to the Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar that has been pulled from the market due to the potential risk of salmonella contamination identified during routine lab testing.Shoppers are urged to check their packaging carefully for the listed lot code. Anyone who has a bar with the affected code should not eat it. Instead, they should discard the product and contact Spring & Mulberry to request a refund. As per USA TODAY, although no illnesses have been reported so far, the recall has been issued as a precaution to safeguard public health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. The FDA has shared further guidance on recall steps and salmonella symptoms.The chocolate recall follows another FDA action just months earlier involving Doughy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough produced by Hudson River Foods in November, also due to possible salmonella contamination. That recall was later upgraded to a Class I recall on December 5 after officials determined that consuming the product could result in serious health effects or death.A total of 113 units of the edible cookie dough were included in that recall. The affected products were sold in 12-ounce containers and carried a best-by date of July 4, 2026.