Halloween treats are already popping up on store shelves, but certain chocolate candies are being recalled over an allergy risk. Crystal Temptations, based in North Arlington, New Jersey, is recalling certain packages of Little Temptations Chocolatey Eyeballs sold at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and Sierra stores in more than a dozen states because they contain milk that was not declared on the packaging. People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk could suffer a serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the candy, according to a company announcement posted on the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website on Monday. The recalled products were distributed in 13 states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming. The recall covers five different packages of Chocolatey Eyeballs.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled candy, according to the announcement. Newsweek has reached out to Crystal Temptations for additional information. The recall was initiated after a TJX analyst discovered that the Chocolatey Eyeballs contained whey, a milk product, despite packaging that did not disclose the presence of milk.
A subsequent investigation found that the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes. Milk is the most common undeclared food allergen, accounting for more than one-third of U.S. food recalls caused by undeclared allergens over the past decade, according to the FDA. The agency also says milk has been the leading cause of adverse reactions reported by consumers involving foods recalled over undeclared allergens, including some chocolate products.
An estimated 2 percent of the U.S. population has a milk allergy, according to studies based on a 2015-2016 national survey cited by the FDA. Symptoms of a milk allergy can range from mild to severe and may include hives, facial swelling, an upset stomach, vomiting and wheezing. In rare cases, an allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and send the body into shock.
Consumers who purchased the recalled candies are urged to throw them out. Refunds are not available at the stores where the products were purchased. Instead, customers should contact Crystal Temptations, with proof of purchase, at 201-246-7990 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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