Hy-Vee Recalls Products Due to Salmonella Risk, MN Affected

Hy-Vee, Inc. is voluntarily recalling several of its chocolate candy products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The candy trays were distributed to all of Hy-Vee’s 242 grocery stores across its eight-state region of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The potential for contamination was brought to Hy-Vee’s attention when companies involved in making the ingratiates for its chocolate candies said their products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Palmer Candy Company recently announced a limited recall of certain chocolate products after it was informed by its supplier, Valley Milk Products LLC, that a milk powder ingredient used in a compound chocolate coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Hy-Vee uses chocolate products from Palmer Candy Company, which is supplied by Valley Milk Products LLC.

The voluntary recall includes selected products produced between Oct. 20, 2016, and Dec. 9, 2016, and shipped by Palmer Candy Company to grocery, convenience store and wholesale customers nationwide for repackaging.

Out of caution, Hy-Vee has decided to recall all candy trays that include products in the recall. Customers who purchased this product should dispose of it or return it to their local Hy-Vee store for a full refund.

Below is the full list of recalled Hy-Vee products and its UPC number that can be found on the label of each candy tray that is being recalled:

• Chocolate Almond Bark, 4 oz., 026133400000
• Chocolate Almond Bark, 12 oz., 026133300000
• Chocolate Almond Pretzels, 4 oz., 026131900000
• Chocolate Almond Pretzels, 12 oz., 026131800000
• Crème De Menthe Almond Bark, 12 oz., 026266300000
• Dazzled Peanut Brittle, 12 oz., 026267400000
• Dazzled Peanut Brittle Tub, 8 oz., 026267300000
• Holiday Candy Tray, 10”, 16 oz., 026139100000
• Holiday Candy Tray, 12”, 32 oz., 026139300000
• Holiday Candy Tray, 16”, 48 oz., 026139500000
• Holiday Candy Tray, 18”, 64 oz., 026139700000
• Peppermint Bark, 4 oz., 026133800000
• Peppermint Bark, 12 oz., 026133700000
• Peppermint Bark Tub, 9 oz., 026267900000
• 9” Candy Tray, 16 oz., 026138000000
• 12” Candy Tray, 32 oz., 026138100000
• 16” Candy Tray, 48 oz., 026138200000
• 9” Cookie & Candy Tray, 16 oz., 026138600000
• 12” Cookie & Candy Tray, 32 oz., 026138700000
• 16” Cookie & Candy Tray, 48 oz., 026138800000

The product comes in a plastic container with a clear lid. The sell-by date range for all items is between Jan. 26, 2017 and Feb. 23, 2017. The sell-by date can be found at the top of the product label.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products, according to a news release. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more sever illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Consumers with questions may contact Hy-Vee Customer Care representatives 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-772-4098.

Image via Federal Drug Administration