Spring & Mulberry Expands Recall of Chocolate Bars Over Possible Salmonella Contamination

Raleigh, NC (January 15, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Spring & Mulberry is expanding a voluntary recall of several chocolate bar products due to possible Salmonella contamination. According to the FDA, the recall now includes multiple flavors beyond the originally recalled Mint Leaf bars after additional testing identified potential risks tied to the same production period.

The company distributed the affected chocolate bars nationwide through online sales and select retail partners. The agency confirmed that the company initiated the expanded recall in coordination with the FDA after routine third-party testing detected Salmonella in finished products.

Spring & Mulberry recall: quick summary

Spring & Mulberry has expanded its voluntary recall to include several chocolate bar flavors produced during the same timeframe and on the same equipment. Routine testing by the company’s contract manufacturer detected Salmonella, prompting the recall. Although no illnesses have been reported so far, the FDA warns that Salmonella exposure poses serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. Regulators urge consumers not to eat the affected products and to dispose of them or request a refund directly from the company.

What happened?

The FDA said Spring & Mulberry initiated the expanded recall after routine third-party testing conducted by its contract manufacturer revealed that finished chocolate products tested positive for Salmonella. The company announced the recall on January 14, 2026, and the FDA published it the following day.

According to the FDA, the company sold the affected chocolate bars nationwide online and through select retail partners beginning September 15, 2025. The company told the FDA it expanded the recall beyond the original Mint Leaf flavor because Salmonella can be difficult to detect and may appear intermittently in products made on the same equipment during the same production window.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The agency added that healthy individuals may also experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Lot number(s)	Box color	Issue	Affected states
Spring & Mulberry	Earl Grey chocolate bar	#025258	Purple	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Lavender Rose chocolate bar	#025259, #025260	Light blue	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Mango Chili chocolate bar	#025283	Orange	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Mint Leaf chocolate bar	#025255	Teal	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Mixed Berry chocolate bar	#025275, #025281, #025337	Purple	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Mulberry Fennel chocolate bar	#025345	Burgundy	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Pecan Date chocolate bar	#025261, #025265, #025267, #025268, #025339, #025343	Yellow	Possible salmonella	Nationwide
Spring & Mulberry	Pure Dark Minis	#025273	Blue	Possible salmonella	Nationwide

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the recall stems from potential Salmonella contamination identified during routine testing. The agency confirmed no illnesses have been reported so far. Salmonella infections can be especially dangerous for young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled chocolate bars.
• Check the back of the package and inner wrapper for the lot code.
• Dispose of the product immediately or contact the company for a refund or replacement.
• Reach Spring & Mulberry at [email protected] with a photo of the lot code.

Behind the brand

Spring & Mulberry is a North Carolina-based chocolate brand known for specialty flavor combinations and small-batch production. In its recall notice, the company stated that it has ceased distribution of the affected products and is working closely with the FDA to address the issue. Source86 reached out to Spring & Mulberry for additional comment, but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows a broader pattern of Salmonella-related recalls in the specialty food category. Recent Source86 reporting has documented similar incidents, including Live It Up’s recall of its Super Greens products over possible Salmonella contamination, Spring & Mulberry’s earlier recall of Mint Leaf Chocolate, Consumers Supply Distributing’s recall of Country Vet Dog Biscuits, Glaum Egg Ranch’s recall of cage-free eggs linked to a Salmonella outbreak, and Mellace Family Brands California Inc.’s recall of Wegmans Deluxe Mixed Nuts Unsalted. In each case, potential contamination was identified through routine testing or outbreak investigations. Food safety experts note that these incidents underscore the importance of robust sanitation controls, supplier verification, and ongoing monitoring across food production and distribution networks.

“The number of recalls went up, the number of outbreaks identified went up, and it just reiterates to us that there’s still a lot to do in food safety,” said Barbara Kowalcyk, PhD, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health.

Related Confectionery Alert: M&M’s Labeling Error (February 2026) While the Spring & Mulberry recall addresses a bacterial risk, a separate safety alert has been issued for another chocolate product due to labeling failures. Beacon Promotions Inc. is recalling approximately 6,000 packs of promotional M&M’s distributed across 20 states. The custom-packaged candy lacks mandatory warning labels for milk, soy, and peanuts, posing a serious threat to allergic consumers who may receive them at corporate events. For the full list of affected corporate logos and lot codes, read our detailed report: Beacon Promotions Recalls M&M’s Over Undeclared Allergens.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, added:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital transparency and rigorous checks are across the supply chain.”

Ensuring safe eats

While no illnesses have been reported, the Spring & Mulberry recall highlights ongoing food safety challenges within specialty and artisanal food production. Preventing contamination requires consistent testing, equipment sanitation, and traceability across every batch. Consumers should follow recall guidance closely and avoid eating affected products.

At Source86, we support brands with ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production to help ensure supply chains respond quickly and responsibly when safety issues arise. Contact us.