Federal officials have issued a Class 1 recall—the highest risk level—for a variety of chocolate products, warning that consuming them could lead to severe allergic reactions or even death for those with milk allergies. This alarming recall involves three Cal Yee Farm products: Dark Chocolate Almonds, Dark Chocolate Apricots, and Dark Chocolate Walnuts, all of which were found to contain undeclared milk, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall, which initially began in December, has now been escalated as the FDA warns that unsuspecting consumers with milk allergies could suffer serious health consequences, including hives, dizziness, swollen vocal cords, unconsciousness, and even death. This comes after an FDA inspection revealed that the company’s packaging failed to disclose the presence of milk, soy, wheat, sesame, almonds, and the artificial food dye FD&C #6.

Massive Recall Across Multiple States

Cal Yee Farm’s contaminated products were sold online and in retail locations across at least nine states, including Arizona, California, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The scope of the recall is significant, affecting a long list of snack products, including:

– Dark Chocolate Walnuts
– Dark Chocolate Raisins
– Dark Chocolate Almonds
– Yogurt-Coated Almonds
– Dark Chocolate Apricots
– Tropical Trail Mix
– Butter Toffee
– Hot Cajun Sesame Sticks
– New Orleans Hot Mix
– Almonds & Mango with Chili
– Fruit Baskets

Consumers who suffer from food allergies have been strongly urged to avoid these products, as the lack of proper labeling puts them at serious risk of accidental exposure.

FDA Inspection Exposes Labeling Failures

The recall was triggered after an FDA facility inspection uncovered the mislabeling issue, raising questions about the company’s quality control and compliance with food safety regulations. The discovery suggests that potentially deadly allergens were being distributed to consumers without proper warnings, an oversight that could have devastating consequences for those with allergies.

In response, Cal Yee Farm admitted its error and claimed to have corrected the issue.

“We did a voluntary recall on undeclared milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6, and almonds in snack products, due to outdated labels which did not specify allergen statements,” the company wrote in a statement. “Labels are now consistent with known allergens.”

Consumers Urged to Check FDA Website

For those who may have purchased these potentially dangerous products, the FDA advises checking their website for the full list of recalled items and their UPC codes. Consumers are encouraged to discard any affected products immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Government Regulation or Corporate Negligence?

While the recall highlights a serious failure in food safety standards, it also raises broader concerns. Why did it take an FDA inspection for this issue to come to light? Shouldn’t food manufacturers be proactively ensuring that their packaging accurately reflects the contents of their products—especially when lives are at stake?

With so many companies rushing to comply with DEI initiatives and government red tape, is basic food safety and transparency taking a backseat? Americans deserve better quality control, stricter oversight, and accountability from food producers to ensure that their health is not put at unnecessary risk.