Spring & Mulberry Chocolate Recall: Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Bar Pulled Nationwide Over Salmonella Concerns
Raleigh, North Carolina (High Desert News Online) – Spring & Mulberry has issued a nationwide voluntary recall of its 2.1-ounce Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar (Lot #025255) after third-party testing detected possible Salmonella; consumers should immediately dispose of the product and request refunds.
Key takeaways
- Product recalled: 2.1-ounce Spring & Mulberry Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar (72% cacao), Lot #025255.
- Reason: Possible Salmonella detected during routine third-party lab testing; recall is voluntary and limited to one lot.
- Action for consumers: Do not eat the product — dispose of it and email recalls@springandmulberry.com with a photo of the lot code for a refund.
- Illnesses: No illnesses reported to date.
Product details and recall scope
The recall affects only the 2.1-ounce Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Bar (72% cacao) with Lot #025255. The lot code is printed on the back of the teal-colored box and on the inner flow wrap. Spring & Mulberry says no other lots or products are affected.
Source notices: FDA recall notice, ABC News (GMA).
What triggered the recall
Spring & Mulberry reported that routine testing by a third-party laboratory found possible Salmonella in samples from lot #025255. The company initiated a voluntary recall of that specific lot to protect public health and is cooperating with regulators. Media requests to the company were not answered at the time of reporting.
Coverage and details available from Fox Business, Consumer Reports, and the FDA notice.
Salmonella risks and symptoms
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness. Symptoms typically appear within 6 hours to 6 days and can include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea, which may be bloody
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Most healthy people recover within 4 to 7 days, but young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people face higher risk. Seek prompt medical care for severe dehydration, high fever (102°F or higher), or bloody stools.
Sources: Fox Business, Consumer Reports, FDA.
Consumer actions and refunds
If you have a 2.1-ounce Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Bar from lot #025255, do not eat it. Dispose of the product immediately. To request a refund, email recalls@springandmulberry.com and include a photo of the lot code. Retailers should remove affected units from shelves.
If you suspect you became ill after consuming the product, contact your health care provider and local health department so state and federal public health officials can track and investigate any possible cases.
Where the bars were sold and timing
FDA records and news reports show the recalled bars were sold nationwide online — including Amazon — and at select independent and specialty retailers beginning September 15, 2025. The recall notice was posted January 12, 2026.
Consumers shopping at small or specialty stores should check pantry items and receipts for the lot number.
Implications for The High Desert, California
Local availability and consumer steps: Residents of the High Desert who purchased specialty or online grocery items should check for the teal-packaged 2.1-ounce bar and verify the lot number. If found, do not eat it — dispose and email recalls@springandmulberry.com with a photo of the lot code for a refund.
Risk to vulnerable residents: Retirement communities, young children, and people with chronic conditions are at higher risk. Caregivers and facility managers should inspect stored snack items and alert staff to the recall; seek medical care for severe symptoms.
Local retailers and small business impact: Specialty grocers and independent retailers in the High Desert should review inventory, remove any affected lot, and follow the company’s refund guidance to maintain customer trust.
Public health and reporting: San Bernardino County and Kern County public health offices handle foodborne illness reports for parts of the High Desert. Residents who become ill should contact their health care provider and local health department promptly.
Reporting and tracking — how regulators respond
The FDA posts voluntary recalls and offers guidance to consumers and retailers. State health departments often partner with the FDA during investigations. In this case, routine third-party lab sampling flagged potential contamination, prompting the company’s voluntary recall. The FDA notice lists product details and links for refunds.
Other FDA alerts noted alongside the recall
Officials noted several unrelated recent FDA food safety notices — for example, Listeria in certain cheeses and reports of plastic contamination in frozen tater tots. These parallel alerts highlight the role of routine sampling and testing in identifying potential hazards before widespread illness occurs.
Sources and further reading
- FDA recall notice: Spring & Mulberry issues voluntary recall of Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar due to possible Salmonella contamination
- Fox Business coverage
- ABC News (GMA) report
- Consumer Reports recall summary
- AARP health advisory
For refunds and product questions: recalls@springandmulberry.com
“Spring & Mulberry is proactively recalling the affected lot and cooperating with regulators to protect public health,” the company told the FDA in its notice.
