Dove Snickers Recall: Holiday-Themed Chocolates Pulled From Walmart May Have Pieces Of Other Candy That Contains Peanuts, Wheat, And Egg

A recall was issued for Dove-brand chocolate snowflakes as it might contain Snickers, Milky Way, or Twix pieces. The other chocolates have peanuts, wheat, and eggs, which many American children are allergic to. The chocolate is seasonal and sold only at one major retailer, but is in stores across the United States.

Popular seasonal chocolate candy, sold across the country, has been recalled over potential allergens. Dove-brand chocolate snowflakes could contain wheat, peanuts, and egg. These ingredients aren’t listed on the label and hence increase the risk of accidental consumption by children who are allergic to them. The Dove snowflakes, made by Mars Chocolate North America, are free of these allergens, but because the boxes in which these chocolates are packed may contain some pieces of Snickers, Milky Way, or Twix, they are being recalled.

Mars Chocolate North America announced a voluntary “Allergy Alert Voluntary Recall” of 24-ounce bags of Dove Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes on Friday. Incidentally, the chocolates are sold only during the winter season, and are sold through just one major retailer. However, the retailer is Walmart, which has an extensive chain of retail outlets across America. The recall involves a purple 24 oz. bag, clearly marked with DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes branding on the front of packaging. The code dates and UPC code are located on the back of the packaging on the lower right side, reported DB Techno.

The company confirmed that about 6,700 cases of the chocolates may contain pieces of Snickers, Milky Way, and Twix candy bars that have peanuts, wheat, or eggs in them. These ingredients are not listed on the Dove chocolate label. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the affected chocolates were shipped and distributed to only one retailer. The statement from the FDA reads as follows.

“People who have allergies to peanuts, wheat and/or eggs have the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”

The chocolates were sold at retail food stores from September 19 through December 1 in more than 30 states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Illinois, Connecticut, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, and California, among others, reported NBC Philadelphia.

The company issued the recall since the ingredients are not listed on the outer package ingredient label and people who have allergies to peanuts, wheat, and/or eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The company was made aware of the anomaly by a consumer who found a Snickers piece in his Dove Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. bag.

The FDA stated that as of December 18, there have been no “adverse reactions” from eating the chocolates, but the company isn’t taking any chances. Mars Chocolate North America will offer a full refund to the customers who may have bought the Dove chocolates before the recall was ordered. Concerned customers can contact the company at 1-800-551-0907 with any questions about the recall.

While recalls for undeclared allergens are not uncommon, for people with life-threatening allergies, it’s a significant concern, reported WHO TV. Last year, there were a total of 94 recalls. These recalls included everything from meat and poultry to produce and other kinds of food. Roughly half of the recalls (43) were due to undeclared allergens, reported CNN.

Mars Chocolate confirmed it is “working with the impacted retailer to ensure that the recalled product is removed from sale.” Incidentally, the company did not reveal who this “retailer” was, but reports indicate it is Walmart, who received the inventory of Dove-brand chocolate snowflakes which might contain Snickers.

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