Chocolate candy bars recalled due to 'life-threatening allergic reaction'

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a popular chocolate candy bar being recalled nationwide.

Gardners Candies has announced a nationwide recall of its Cappuccino Meltaway Bars due to the risk of tree nut allergies. FDA revealed on Friday that the recall affected the 1.25-ounce packages of the chocolate bars, which may contain an undeclared amount of tree nuts.

This poses a "serious or life-threatening allergic reaction" for consumers with tree nut allergies or severe sensitivities, the FDA said.

The recalled candies have been available nationwide since Sept. 1, 2024, through retail stores and mail orders from the Gardners Candies website.

An investigation found that the packaging issue "was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes."

Production of the chocolate bars has been halted "until the company is certain that the problem has been corrected," the FDA said.

The affected Cappuccino Meltaway Bars were packaged in white wrappers marked with the number 082725 and have an expiration date of Aug. 27, 2025. The product was also included in the Gardners Meltaway Treat Box, marked with either 101625 or 112525.

Consumers who purchased the Cappuccino Meltaway Bars or Meltaway Treat Boxes were urged to contact Gardners Candies' corporate office "for a replacement."