13 drinks to avoid now

A recall that began with a milk powder supplier has now reached one of the most recognized names in chocolate. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company announced April 27, 2026, that it is voluntarily recalling 13 powdered beverage mixes that may be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported, and none of the affected products have tested positive for the bacteria. Even so, the company is moving cautiously, and anyone who may have purchased the mixes through an online retailer should act now.

How the recall started

The issue traces directly to California Dairies, Inc., a third-party supplier that provided powdered milk used as an ingredient in Ghirardelli’s beverage mixes. When California Dairies issued its own recall over Salmonella contamination concerns, Ghirardelli launched a review of all products that relied on that supply and determined a precautionary recall was the right course of action.

The affected mixes were originally produced in large bulk formats for restaurants and institutional food service customers. However, Ghirardelli has confirmed that some of those same products may have reached individual consumers through e-commerce platforms, broadening the potential exposure beyond the professional kitchen.

The 13 products included in the recall

The following products are subject to the recall. Because only specific lot numbers are affected within each product line, consumers should check the lot number printed on their packaging against the full list available on Ghirardelli’s official recall announcement before discarding or consuming anything.

1. 30-lb. Chocolate Flavored Frappe

   

2. 30-lb. Classic White Frappe
3. 4/2-lb. Premium Hot Cocoa Pouch Bulk
4. 6/3-lb. Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder

   

5. 6/3.12-lb. White Chocolate Flavored Sweet Ground Powder
6. 6/3-lb. Vanilla Frappe Mix
7. 6/3.12-lb. Chocolate Flavored Frappe Mix
8. 6/3.12-lb. Classic White Frappe Mix
9. 10-lb. Chocolate Flavored Frappe Mix
10. 10-lb. Classic White Frappe Mix
11. 6/3.12-lb. White Mocha Frappe Mix

    

12. 6/3.12-lb. Mocha Frappe Mix
13. 6/3.12-lb. Frozen Hot Cocoa Frappe Mix

What Salmonella infection looks like

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that targets the digestive system and ranges widely in severity depending on who is exposed. In otherwise healthy adults, the most common symptoms are fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. For young children, elderly individuals and people with compromised immune systems, however, the infection carries a far greater risk and can, in rare cases, enter the bloodstream and lead to more serious conditions such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis. Anyone who experiences these symptoms after consuming one of the recalled products should contact a healthcare provider right away.

What to do right now

Ghirardelli is advising all consumers who have any of the 13 recalled products at home not to use them under any circumstances, regardless of whether symptoms have appeared. If a recalled mix has already been consumed and any of the above symptoms develop, medical attention should be sought promptly. The company’s consumer services line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-844-776-0419 for anyone with questions about the recall or their specific product.

The fact that no illnesses have been linked to these products so far is encouraging. But with Salmonella carrying genuine risks for vulnerable groups, the safer path is clear: set the mix aside, check the lot number and make the call if there is any doubt.