Government warns of possible ‘life-threatening allergic reaction’ to Marabou sea salt chocolate bars

All Marabou Sea Salt Chocolate Bars have been recalled due to concerns about undeclared almonds, wheat and tree nuts.

Health officials are warning consumers about an urgent recall of a popular chocolate bar. All Marabou Sea Salt Chocolate Bars made by A Swedish Candy Co. have been recalled after it was discovered that they may contain undeclared allergens, meaning they pose a risk of a “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.”

The New York-based company recalled the candy bars on Aug. 2 after determining they may contain undeclared almonds, wheat and tree nuts “outside of its allergen profile,” according to a notice shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The packaging stated that the product contained ‘trace amounts of tree nuts and wheat.’” The company’s distributor, Ert Godis, notified BonBon of the recall, and the products were immediately “removed from the sales floor and subsequently destroyed at all points of sale.”

The recall affects all Marabou Sea Salt chocolate bars, which were sold at BonBon retail stores “at 130 Allen St., 1220 Lexington Ave. and 705 Driggs Ave. in New York City, where they were sold alongside other pre-packaged imported products. The recalled chocolate bars measure 9 inches by 4 inches and weigh 185 grams. The bars were sold in yellow packaging with the “Marabou” font and logo in red and the word “havvsalt,” the Swedish word for “salt,” also on the packaging. The production codes are OUV0134912 and OUV0140643, with expiration dates of 04.09.2024 and 09.11.2024 affected.

No illnesses have been reported associated with the recalled chocolate bars to date. However, the company and health officials have urged consumers who purchased the recalled Marabou Sea Salt Chocolate Bars to return to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. You can also contact A Swedish Candy Co. by phone at 212-786-0094 between 10 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Sunday.

The products pose a “risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction” to consumers who are allergic or highly sensitive to almonds and wheat, the notice said. Common symptoms of a food allergy include dizziness or lightheadedness, itchy skin or rash, swelling of the lips, face and eyes, stomach pain, diarrhoea and coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, noisy breathing or hoarseness, among others, according to the NHS. In some cases, consuming an allergen can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that narrows the airways and can block breathing.