RALEIGH, NC — In a move to prioritize consumer safety, the boutique chocolate manufacturer Spring & Mulberry has announced a voluntary recall of a specific lot of its popular Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bars. The alert, published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 12, 2026, warns that the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.
The recall specifically impacts Lot Code #025255 of the 2.1 oz bars, which have been distributed to retail boutiques and sold online nationwide since September 15, 2025. While no illnesses have been reported to date, the company is taking proactive measures after a third-party laboratory detected the potential presence of the bacteria during routine quality control testing.
Identifying the Affected Product
Consumers are urged to check their pantries for the specific teal-colored boxes that characterize the brand’s Mint Leaf flavor. The recall is limited to a single production run, and all other Spring & Mulberry flavors—such as Mango Urfa Chili and Mixed Berry—remain unaffected.
| Product Detail | Information to Check |
| Brand Name | Spring & Mulberry |
| Product Name | Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar (2.1 oz) |
| Packaging | Teal-colored box |
| Lot Code | #025255 (found on the back of the box and inner wrap) |
| Best By Date | 03/31/2027 |
Understanding the Risk: What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a group of bacteria that is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. While most healthy individuals recover within a week, the infection—known as salmonellosis—can be significantly more dangerous for vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Symptoms to Watch For:
Symptoms typically appear within 6 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and include:
- Severe abdominal cramps and stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea (which may be bloody)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
In rare and severe cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, leading to more critical conditions such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), endocarditis (infection of the heart lining), and reactive arthritis. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the recalled product should contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Why Chocolate? The Science of Contamination
Though often associated with poultry and eggs, chocolate is a known, albeit rare, vehicle for Salmonella. Because chocolate has a high fat content and very low moisture (low “water activity”), the bacteria can survive in a dormant state for years. Furthermore, the fat in chocolate acts as a protective shield, helping the bacteria survive the acidic environment of the human stomach to reach the intestines.
Contamination in chocolate manufacturing often stems from raw ingredients like cocoa beans, which are dried outdoors and can be exposed to animal waste, or through cross-contamination in the facility. Spring & Mulberry, known for its “clean label” approach and use of jammy dates instead of refined sugar, maintains rigorous testing standards, which is how this potential issue was caught before any consumers were harmed.