The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has elevated its response to a chocolate recall involving Fran’s Pure Bar Almondmilk Chocolate, classifying it as a Class I recall due to undeclared hazelnuts. This classification indicates a significant risk of “serious adverse health consequences or death” for individuals allergic to hazelnuts.
The recall relates specifically to the 46 percent Madagascar Plant-Based product, which was found to contain undeclared hazelnuts. This situation underscores the critical importance of accurate labeling in food products, particularly for consumers with food allergies.
On December 20, 2025, Fran’s Chocolates, Ltd., based in Seattle, Washington, voluntarily recalled 112 units of the chocolate bars, each weighing 1.1 ounces and bearing the UPC 7 49668 24280 2. The recall was prompted after a supplier informed the company that the Almondmilk chocolate ingredient had tested positive for trace amounts of hazelnuts. This contamination occurred due to processing on shared equipment with other nut-containing products.
The affected chocolate bars were sold between October 9, 2025, and December 15, 2025, at four Fran’s Chocolates retail stores in Seattle and through the company’s website at www.frans.com. The FDA assigned the Class I designation on January 14, 2026, following a report of one allergic reaction linked to the product. Fortunately, no illnesses or deaths related to other Fran’s products have been reported up to the recall date.
The product’s packaging failed to disclose the presence of hazelnuts, thereby posing a serious risk of severe or potentially fatal allergic reactions for those with a sensitivity to hazelnuts. Consumers who have purchased the affected product are strongly advised not to consume it. They should return the bars to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Communication about the recall has been extensive. Fran’s Chocolates has utilized various channels, including email, fax, letters, press releases, and direct in-store communications to inform customers. For more information regarding the recall, consumers can access the FDA’s official recall database or reach out to Fran’s Chocolates directly at 1-800-422-3726 or via email at [email protected], Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.
In a statement released by Fran’s Chocolates, the company confirmed, “A supplier informed us that their Almondmilk chocolate ingredient tested positive for trace amounts of hazelnuts because it was processed on the same equipment with other products. We have received a report of one adverse allergic event. No reports of illness or death have been reported on other Fran’s products to date.”
The FDA reiterated the seriousness of the situation, stating that a Class I recall indicates “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” Fran’s Chocolates continues to engage with affected consumers and the FDA, though no definitive end date for the recall has been established at this time.
As this situation illustrates, the need for vigilance in food labeling remains critical to safeguarding public health, particularly for individuals with severe food allergies.
