A root cause investigation traced potential salmonella contamination to a batch of date ingredient.
Salmonella concerns have forced a date-sweetened chocolate brand to pull nearly its entire product line from shelves after an investigation pointed to a single contaminated ingredient. Spring & Mulberry, which sells its bars online and through retail locations across the country, voluntarily expanded a recall on May 8 to cover 12 flavors following what the company described as a thorough root cause investigation.
The inquiry identified a single lot of date ingredient as the most probable source of potential salmonella contamination, the company said in its announcement. The bars had been available for purchase since August 2025.
The initial recall, launched in January, covered only the Mint Leaf flavor after routine third-party testing flagged a possible issue. The latest expansion brings in Blood Orange, Coffee, Earl Grey, Lavender Rose, Mango Chili, Mixed Berry, Mulberry Fennel, Pecan Date, Pure Dark, Pure Dark Mini, and Sea Salt, along with additional Mint Leaf lots not covered in the first round.
What to do if you have a recalled Spring & Mulberry bar
The company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are urging anyone who purchased one of the affected bars not to eat it. Customers should photograph the packaging, making sure the batch lot code is visible, and send the image to [email protected] to receive a full refund. The product can then be thrown away.
Spring & Mulberry said all recalled products have tested negative for salmonella and no confirmed illnesses have been reported.
Understanding the salmonella risk
While no one has become sick in connection with this recall, health officials treat any potential salmonella exposure seriously. The bacteria can cause infections ranging from mild stomach upset to severe illness requiring hospitalization.
According to the FDA, symptoms typically appear between six hours and six days after a person consumes contaminated food. They can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping. Most otherwise healthy adults recover on their own within four to seven days.
The risk is higher for certain groups. Young children under 5, adults over 65, and people with compromised immune systems may develop more serious illness and may need medical care. In rare cases, the FDA notes, salmonella infections can be fatal.
A salmonella infection can only be confirmed through laboratory testing of stool, blood, or other bodily fluids.
A broader pattern of recent salmonella recalls
The Spring & Mulberry situation is part of a broader wave of salmonella-related food safety actions that federal agencies have taken in recent weeks.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert last week for frozen pizzas and pork rind snacks over potential salmonella contamination. Separate recalls have been issued in recent months for snack mixes, powdered beverage mixes, potato chips, popcorn topping, raw pet food, and cheese curds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warned last month of a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry, with several cases involving young children. That strain has shown signs of drug resistance, raising additional concern among public health officials.
The Spring & Mulberry recall affects products sold nationally, meaning bars purchased in any state could potentially be among the affected lots. Consumers are encouraged to check the full list of UPC codes and batch numbers published by the FDA to determine whether their specific bars are part of the recall.