Spring & Mulberry Chocolate Recall Class Action Lawsuit

Recall Details and Affected Products

Spring & Mulberry of Raleigh, North Carolina has expanded its voluntary recall beyond Mint Leaf to include additional flavors of date-sweetened chocolate bars. The company issued an update on January 14, 2026, expanding the recall initially announced on January 12, 2026.

The expansion decision resulted from consultation with the FDA regarding Salmonella detection challenges. Because Salmonella can be difficult to detect and may appear intermittently, the recall now encompasses additional production lots manufactured during the same time period on the same equipment.

The affected products received nationwide distribution through online sales channels and select retail partners. Products entered the marketplace beginning September 15, 2025 [1].

Recalled Chocolate Flavors and Lot Codes

The recall affects eight flavors of Spring & Mulberry date-sweetened chocolate bars, each identifiable by distinctive packaging colors and specific lot codes:

Earl Grey (Purple packaging) – Lot #025258
Lavender Rose (Light Blue packaging) – Lot #025259, #025260
Mango Chili (Rose packaging) – Lot #025283
Mint Leaf (Teal packaging) – Lot #025255
Mixed Berry (Purple packaging) – Lot #025275, #025281, #025337
Mulberry Fennel (Burgundy packaging) – Lot #025345
Pecan Date (Yellow packaging) – Lot #025261, #025265, #025267, #025268, #025339, #025343
Pure Dark Minis (Blue packaging) – Lot #025273

All other lot codes remain unaffected by this recall action. Consumers can identify recalled products by checking lot codes printed on both the back of the box and the inner flow wrap.

Salmonella Contamination Discovery

The contamination risk was identified through routine third-party testing conducted by Spring & Mulberry’s contract manufacturer. Laboratory analysis revealed that finished chocolate products tested positive for Salmonella bacteria.

This proactive testing detected the contamination before any consumer illness reports emerged. The company initiated the recall to protect public health despite the absence of confirmed illness cases.

Salmonella Health Risks

Salmonella represents an organism capable of causing serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations. Young children, frail or elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems face heightened risks from Salmonella contamination.

Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella commonly experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, infection progresses to bloodstream involvement, causing severe illnesses including arterial infections (infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

Symptom Onset and Duration

Salmonella infection symptoms typically develop between 6 hours and 6 days after exposure to contaminated food. Most people recover without medical treatment, though some cases require hospitalization.

Symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis. Special diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm salmonellosis, making accurate diagnosis dependent on informing healthcare providers about possible Salmonella exposure.

Illnesses and Incidents

No confirmed illnesses or adverse health effects have been reported to date in connection with these recalled chocolate bars. The company initiated this recall proactively based on laboratory testing results rather than consumer illness reports.

The absence of reported illnesses reflects the preventive nature of this recall action. However, contaminated food does not typically look, smell, or taste spoiled, making visual inspection insufficient for determining product safety.

What Consumers Should Do

Customers who purchased affected lots listed in the recall must not consume the products. Contaminated chocolate should be disposed of immediately to prevent potential illness.

Consumers may request refunds or replacement products by contacting Spring & Mulberry at recalls@springandmulberry.com. Refund requests should include a photograph of the lot code found on the product packaging.

Product Identification

Recalled chocolate bars can be identified through multiple markers on the packaging. The brand name “Spring & Mulberry” appears along with specific flavor names and distinctive box colors matching each variety.

Lot codes appear printed on both the back of the outer box packaging and the inner flow wrap. Consumers must check these lot codes against the recall list to determine if their chocolate bars are affected.

Initial Recall Expansion Timeline

Spring & Mulberry initially issued a voluntary recall on January 12, 2026, affecting only Mint Leaf flavor chocolate bars (lot #025255). Just two days later on January 14, 2026, the company expanded the recall to include seven additional flavors.

The rapid expansion resulted from recognizing that Salmonella detection challenges and shared manufacturing equipment necessitated broader precautionary measures. All affected products were manufactured during the same time period on the same equipment.

High-Risk Populations

Certain demographic groups face substantially elevated risks from Salmonella infections. Infants, young children, seniors, and individuals with fragile immune systems are more susceptible to serious complications.

These vulnerable populations may develop severe illness requiring hospitalization. Anyone in these high-risk categories who consumed recalled chocolate should monitor for symptoms and seek medical evaluation if concerns arise.

Do I Have a Spring & Mulberry Chocolate Recall Class Action Lawsuit?

If you purchased recalled Spring & Mulberry chocolate bars and experienced Salmonella infection symptoms or required medical treatment after consuming the product, you may be eligible to pursue legal action. Attorneys are currently investigating potential class action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers.

Reference

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/spring-mulberry-expands-voluntary-recall-select-chocolate-bars-due-possible-salmonella-contamination