Spring & Mulberry Recalls Mint Leaf Chocolate Due to Salmonella Risk

RALEIGH, N.C. (January 12, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Spring & Mulberry is voluntarily recalling a specific lot of its Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar due to potential contamination with Salmonella. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after routine third-party laboratory testing detected the presence of the organism in the product. This finding poses a serious health risk, particularly to young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Spring & Mulberry Recall: Quick Summary

Spring & Mulberry, a Raleigh-based brand known for its date-sweetened, no-added-sugar chocolates, has issued a nationwide recall for its Mint Leaf flavor. The recall is specific to a single production lot distributed online and through select retail partners starting in September 2025. While no illnesses have been reported, the company is taking this precautionary measure to prevent any potential infections. Consumers who purchased this premium chocolate bar are urged to check their packaging immediately.

What Happened?

The FDA reported that the potential contamination was discovered during routine testing conducted by a third-party laboratory. The specific lot of Mint Leaf chocolate bars tested positive for Salmonella, prompting the immediate voluntary recall. The affected product has been on the market since September 15, 2025, sold directly to consumers via the company’s website and at various boutique retailers across the country.

In its announcement, Spring & Mulberry emphasized that no adverse health effects have been reported to date and that this action is being taken out of an abundance of caution to protect public health.

Affected Products

The recall applies to 2.1 oz bars packaged in a teal box.

Brand	Product	Lot Code	Best By Date	Distribution
Spring & Mulberry	Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar	025255	03/31/2027	Nationwide (Retail & Online)

Note: The lot code is printed on the back of the outer packaging and on the inner flow wrap.

What caused the issue?

The specific root cause of the contamination, whether from a raw ingredient like cocoa or dates, or environmental cross-contamination, was not detailed in the initial alert, but the presence of Salmonella is the primary concern.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations. Healthy individuals may experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.

Questions You Might Have

1. Which flavor is recalled?Only the “Mint Leaf” Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar.
2. How do I identify the recalled bar?Look for a teal box and Lot Code 025255 on the back.
3. Are other Spring & Mulberry chocolates affected?No other flavors or lots have been included in this recall.
4. Has anyone gotten sick?No illnesses have been reported to date.
5. Where was it sold?It was sold online at springandmulberry.com and at select retailers nationwide.
6. When was it available?The product has been available since September 15, 2025.
7. Is it safe if I melt it?No. Do not cook with or consume the product. Dispose of it immediately.
8. Can I get a refund?Yes, email a photo of the lot code to [email protected] for a refund.
9. Who is the manufacturer?Spring & Mulberry, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
10. Who can I contact?You can email the company’s customer service at [email protected].

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check your stash: Look for the teal Spring & Mulberry box.
• Verify the Lot: Check the back panel for Lot 025255 and Best By 03/31/2027.
• Dispose: Throw the chocolate away in a secure trash bin.
• Request Refund: Take a photo of the code and email it to the company for reimbursement.

Behind the Brand

Spring & Mulberry is a modern chocolate brand founded on the principle of exploring sweetness beyond refined sugar. They use dates to sweeten their chocolate, offering a palette of unique flavors like Mint Leaf, Mixed Berry, and Pure Dark. Based in Raleigh, NC, the brand positions itself in the wellness and gourmet food space. This recall is a significant event for a boutique brand that relies on a reputation for purity and high-quality ingredients.

Other Relevant Recalls

The Spring & Mulberry recall adds to a busy month for food safety alerts in January 2026. Outside The Breadbox recently recalled breadcrumbs due to undeclared egg and milk. Diva Fam Inc. issued a recall for sea moss gel over potential botulism risks, and HerbsForever LLC pulled supplements from the market due to hidden wheat. Together, these incidents highlight the wide range of food safety risks facing manufacturers, spanning allergens, pathogens, and ingredient transparency failures.

In another recent confectionery-related action, Willy Pete’s Chocolate Co. issued a safety alert for select chocolate products due to undeclared almonds. While the Spring & Mulberry recall centers on potential salmonella contamination, the Willy Pete’s incident underscores the ongoing importance of accurate allergen labeling in the chocolate category, where shared equipment and cross-contact risks remain a persistent manufacturing challenge.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, noted:

“Salmonella contamination in dry goods like chocolate is rare but persistent. Because chocolate has a low moisture content, bacteria can survive for long periods. Routine third-party testing, as seen in this case, is a critical firewall that catches these issues before they turn into widespread outbreaks.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Salmonella is often associated with raw poultry, but it can contaminate almost any food product, including chocolate, nuts, and spices. The bacteria can survive in dry environments for months. Consumers should always respect recall notices for “potential” contamination, as pathogens are invisible and odorless.

For more information or to report a concern about a food product, you can visit our contact page at https://source86.com/contact/.