In a surprising development, Tony's Chocolonely has issued a recall for specific chocolate bars after reports surfaced of finding small stones within the products.
According to the US Sun, the recall impacts the Dark Almond Sea Salt Bar and the Everything Bar, both sold at major retailers like Target between February 7 and March 24, 2025.
Tony's Chocolonely, a popular chocolate manufacturer, initiated the recall on April 1, 2025, following consumer reports about the presence of small stones. A third-party supplier processed the almond components used in the chocolates, causing these contaminations.
Inadequate filtering during the almond harvesting and processing stages led to the discovery of the stones. Despite the alarming situation, officials have not recorded any injuries related to the consumption of the contaminated bars. All the complaints regarding the stones so far have come from outside North America.
The specific lots of Tony's Chocolonely's affected products include the Dark Almond Sea Salt Bar and the Everything Bar. The recall details reveal several 'best-by' dates and UPCs for these chocolate variants, ensuring that consumers can accurately identify the potentially hazardous products.
Tony's Chocolonely advises consumers who purchased these products not to eat them. Instead, the company encourages them to return the chocolates to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them safely. Tony's Chocolonely has been proactive in communicating the recall and its scope.
While the affected products were sold at numerous major outlets, it is important to note that no contaminated lots have been distributed to Walmart. This detail is critical for consumers who frequent different retailers to understand where the risk lies.
Tony's Chocolonely has voluntarily initiated this recall in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighting the company's commitment to consumer safety. "Tony’s nevertheless issues this voluntary recall, in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, as a precautionary measure," said a representative from Tony's Chocolonely.
The company further elaborated on their decision in a press release: "A limited number of consumers have reported finding small stones in the product not filtered during third-party almond harvesting and the almond processing process. While the chance of any individual product being affected is low, and we have not yet received any complaints in North America, we have decided to take this step to ensure the safety and satisfaction of Tony’s Chocolonely consumers in an abundance of caution."
This transparent approach aims to mitigate any potential harm and ensure the trust and safety of its clientele, despite no current reports of injuries in the United States and Canada.
Tony's Chocolonely recalled its chocolate bars to highlight the importance of maintaining stringent quality controls in food production, especially when working with third-party suppliers. The incident highlights the challenges companies face throughout the food supply chain, from harvesting raw materials to delivering the final product to consumers.
To address these challenges, Tony's Chocolonely has taken significant steps, including working closely with the FDA and other stakeholders to ensure all necessary precautions are in place to prevent future issues. The company has also revisited and tightened its quality assurance processes, particularly in relation to ingredient suppliers.
Tony's Chocolonely urges consumers to check their chocolate bars against the published list of affected lot numbers and best-by dates on the company’s website and in FDA communications. Though unfortunate, this proactive recall demonstrates the company’s commitment to public safety and its effort to maintain consumer trust.
