When was the last time you checked the lot numbers on your candy before eating it? Most people grab their favorite chocolate-covered nuts or gummy treats without a second thought, but recent recalls affecting millions of products sold at Walmart, Target, and other major retailers show why paying attention to those tiny numbers and dates matters more than ever.
Mauna Loa chocolate macadamias contain hidden allergens
That bag of Mauna Loa Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias sitting in your pantry might contain more than just macadamias. The Hawaii-based company recently pulled their popular chocolate-covered nuts from shelves at ACME Markets, Walmart, and Target after discovering some packages contained undeclared almonds and cashews. This mistake happened during the third-party manufacturing process and was caught during an internal quality control check.
The recall affects both 0.6-ounce and 4-ounce bags distributed across 17 states and Guam. Check your bags for UPC codes 0 72992 05464 4 (small bags) or 0 72992 05556 6 (large bags) with specific lot numbers and best-by dates. If someone in your household has tree nut allergies, this mix-up could be dangerous. The good news is no allergic reactions have been reported yet, and stores are offering full refunds for returned products.
Weaver Nut chocolate contains unlisted milk ingredients
Semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils from Lebanon, Pennsylvania-based Weaver Nut Company are causing concerns for people with milk allergies. The company recalled both their white-seed and Christmas-colored versions after discovering some packages contained milk that wasn’t listed on the label. This problem came to light when a wholesale customer noticed their shipment didn’t match the updated product specifications.
Lab testing confirmed the presence of milk in products that were supposed to be milk-free. The affected lot numbers include multiple batches for both Christmas Seeds and White Seeds varieties. Anyone with a milk allergy who ate these thinking they were safe could face serious reactions. Weaver Nut Company is accepting returns and providing full refunds for customers who purchased the affected products.
Frederik’s dark chocolate almonds actually contained cashews
Meijer shoppers who bought Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds in June 2025 got an unexpected surprise when they found cashews mixed in with their almonds. A customer alerted the grocery chain after opening their stand-up pouch and discovering dark chocolate-covered cashews alongside the expected almonds. This mix-up affected both 12-ounce packs and boxes containing eight 1.5-ounce packs.
While both almonds and cashews are tree nuts, people can be allergic to one but not the other. Someone expecting only almonds could have a dangerous reaction to cashews they didn’t know they were eating. The recall happened quickly after the customer complaint, and no adverse health effects were reported. Meijer accepted returns for full refunds, showing how one customer speaking up can prevent potential health emergencies for others.
Golden Crop candy used banned food coloring
Colorful candy imported from China caused problems for New York-based Blooming Import when they discovered their Golden Crop Candy contained illegal food dyes. The wrapped candies included Blue 1 and Red 40 that weren’t listed on the packaging, plus Acid Red 18, a food coloring that’s completely banned in the United States. This dye has been linked to hyperactivity and isn’t considered safe for consumption.
The company recalled 74 cases of the candy after the discovery, affecting products sold in eight states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Texas. The FDA gave this recall a Class II rating, meaning it could cause temporary health problems or reversible adverse reactions. People sensitive to synthetic food coloring could experience reactions from the undeclared dyes, making this recall particularly concerning for parents of children who react to certain food additives.
Diamond Shruumz edibles hospitalized over 70 people
Diamond Shruumz products weren’t your typical candy – these psychoactive edibles sold at smoke shops and online contained substances that affected the brain. But in June 2024, people who ate these gummies, cones, and chocolate bars started reporting serious illness including vomiting, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. By October, over 100 people had gotten sick, 73 were hospitalized, and three people died.
FDA testing revealed the products contained muscimol from Amanita muscaria mushrooms, which can be deadly in large amounts. They also found acetylpsilocin, psilocin, and other compounds that weren’t supposed to be there. Prophet Premium Blends issued the recall, but the exact reason why these products made people so sick was never officially determined. This incident shows why buying edibles from unregulated sources can be extremely dangerous.
Clasen chocolate recalled over salmonella contamination fears
More than 4 million pounds of chocolate products from Clasen Quality Chocolate were pulled from shelves in June 2024 due to possible salmonella contamination. The massive recall included caramel-flavored confectionery drops, milk chocolate wafers, and milk chocolate-flavored coating sold across nine states. This recall was particularly large-scale, affecting products in California, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington.
The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, meaning the chocolate could cause temporary or manageable health problems with a low chance of serious illness. Salmonella infections typically cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain in healthy adults. For elderly people, young children, and those with weak immune systems, the symptoms can be much more severe and even life-threatening.
Palmer Candy recalled nearly 30 products
The Palmer Candy Company, a family business operating since 1878, faced one of their biggest challenges in 2024 when they had to recall nearly 30 products. The problem started when a supplier notified them that dairy powders used in their white candy coating might contain salmonella. This affected candy-coated pretzels, fudge cookies, and snack mixes sold at major retailers including Walmart, HyVee, Target, and Dollar General.
Company president Marty Palmer told reporters the recall affected “many tons of products” sold nationwide. Even though no illnesses were reported, the company took the precautionary step because food safety requires 100% certainty, not 99.9%. This recall showed how one contaminated ingredient from a supplier can affect dozens of different products across multiple retail chains, demonstrating the interconnected nature of food manufacturing.
Toxic Waste candy created choking hazards
Candy Dynamics had to recall approximately 70 million Toxic Waste Slime Licker rolling liquid candies in 2023 after discovering the small rolling ball applicator could detach and become a choking hazard. The company received two customer complaints about the ball coming loose during use, prompting them to pull all affected products from stores. These novelty candies came in flavors like strawberry, blue raspberry, apple, and black cherry.
The recall affected products sold at Five Below, Walmart, and Amazon, even though the candies were manufactured in Spain and Colombia. This massive recall showed how a small design flaw can affect millions of products worldwide. The detaching ball posed a serious choking risk, especially for children who were the primary consumers of these sour liquid candies. Parents who had purchased these products were advised to throw them away immediately.
Russell Stover mixed up two different products
A packaging mix-up at Russell Stover Chocolates created a dangerous situation for people with tree nut allergies in 2023. The company accidentally put individually wrapped Sugar Free Pecan Delights into packages labeled as Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups. This mistake happened at a third-party co-packing facility and wasn’t discovered until a customer notified Russell Stover about the error.
The 2.4-ounce plastic bags had already been shipped to wholesalers and retail stores nationwide before the problem was discovered. Since pecans are tree nuts and peanuts are legumes, people allergic to tree nuts but not peanuts could have serious reactions from eating what they thought were peanut butter cups. Fortunately, no adverse health issues were reported, but this incident highlights how important accurate labeling is for people managing food allergies.
These recent candy recalls show why checking lot numbers and expiration dates isn’t just paranoid behavior – it’s smart consumer protection. Whether it’s undeclared allergens, banned food coloring, or contamination concerns, staying informed about recalls can prevent serious health problems. Keep your receipts, check recall notices regularly, and don’t hesitate to return products when safety issues arise.
