Aldi has been forced to recall two popular varieties of festive chocolate bark from its shelves across the United States following a serious packaging error that could pose a life-threatening risk to customers with allergies.
Packaging Mix-Up Sparks Major Safety Alert
The recall, announced by the manufacturer Silvestri Sweets Inc., affects its Choceur-branded Holiday Bark in two flavours: Cookie Butter and Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon. According to a report published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the voluntary action was initiated after it was discovered that the products had been placed in the wrong boxes.
Specifically, Cookie Butter Holiday Bark was found inside Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon packaging and vice versa. This critical error means the cookie butter product may contain undeclared pecans, while the pecan, cranberry & cinnamon bark may contain undeclared wheat.
The FDA warns that consumers with an allergy or severe sensitivity to these ingredients run the risk of "serious or life-threatening allergic reactions" if they eat the mislabelled product. No related illnesses or reactions have been reported to date.
How to Identify the Recalled Products
The affected batches were distributed to Aldi stores nationwide. Customers are urged to check their cupboards immediately for the following products:
- Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark with lot number 29225 and a best-by date of 05/2026.
- Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark with lot number 29225 and a best-by date of 08/2026.
Anyone who has purchased these items is advised to throw them away immediately and not consume them. For further questions or concerns, customers can contact Silvestri Sweets directly at 1-630-232-2500, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.
A Growing Concern for Allergy Sufferers
This incident highlights the ongoing and serious challenge of undeclared allergens in food. The FDA identifies wheat as one of the nine major food allergens in the U.S., a list that also includes milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame.
Reactions to these allergens can vary dramatically, from mild hives to severe, potentially fatal anaphylaxis, which impacts breathing and can send the body into shock.
The Aldi recall is the latest in a series of similar incidents this year. Just last month, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams voluntarily recalled a batch of its Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Ice Cream Bars due to undeclared wheat and soy from a cross-contamination error during manufacturing.
These repeated events underscore the critical importance of rigorous packaging and manufacturing controls to protect vulnerable consumers, especially during busy holiday seasons when specialty foods are in high demand.
