Asher’s Chocolates/Lewistown, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Candy Products Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
Consumers
Announcement
Asher’s Chocolates/Lewistown, Inc., an affiliated partner of Chester A. Asher Inc. (“Asher’s”) is initiating a voluntary recall of multiple chocolates, chocolate bars, cellophane wrapped chocolates, and individually wrapped chocolates, etc. under the Asher’s brand due to possible Salmonella contamination of items produced in their Lewistown, PA facility distributed nationwide.
Salmonella is an organism which 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 severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Asher’s Brand Products under this voluntary recall are:
Product UPC | Label Description | Lot# | Size |
---|---|---|---|
11516 | Milk Chocolate Pretzel Pieces 8 oz. | 000334469 | 8 oz. |
11517 | Dark Chocolate Pretzel Pieces 8 oz. | 000334470 | 8 oz. |
14765 | Milk Chocolate Vanilla Caramel with Sea Salt 4 oz. | 000337556 | 4 oz. |
47350 | Dark Chocolate Hostess Mint 6 oz. | 000335615 | 6oz. |
55115 | KEYSTONE CRUNCH 4 OZ BAG | 000336374, 000337658 | 4 oz. |
55165 | KEYSTONE CRUNCH 6 oz. | 000335591 | 6 oz. |
55180 | Milk Chocolate Coated Boardwalk Crunch 4 oz. | 000335625 | 4 oz. |
55185 | KEYSTONE CRUNCH 1 LB | 000336375 | 16 oz. |
63385 | Milk Chocolate with Fall String 4 oz. | 000335852 | 4 oz. |
63386 | Dark Chocolate mini Pretzels Fall String 4 oz. | 000335848 | 4 oz. |
65902 | Dark Chocolate Molasses Pop 4 oz. | 000336201, 000335800 | 4 oz. |
65902 | Dark Chocolate Molasses Pop 2 oz. | 000336376 | 2 oz. |
67395 | Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Heaven 3 oz. | 000337016, 000337663 | 3 oz. |
75005 | Milk Chocolate Nonpareil Pop 1.25 oz. | 000335701, 000336520 | 1.25 oz. |
75027 | Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop with Fall Leaves 3 oz. | 000337574, 000337673 | 3 oz. |
75030 | Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop with Christmas Seeds 3 oz. | 000336521 | 3 oz. |
75037 | Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop Multi Seeds 2.25 oz. | 000335803, 000337173 | 2.25 oz. |
75085 | Milk Chocolate Non Peril with Fall Seed 4 oz. | 000335963 | 4 oz. |
75086 | Dark Chocolate Non Pareils with Fall Seed 4 oz. | 000335858 | 4 oz. |
75087 | White Confectionery Coating Non pareils with orange and yellow seed 4 oz. | 000337178 | 4 oz. |
75107 | White Confectionery Coating Peanut Butter Cup 2.35 oz. | 000336377, 000337560, 000337665 | 2.35 oz. |
75141 | Milk Chocolate POTATO CHIP 4 oz. | 000335918 | 4 oz. |
75151 | Milk Chocolate Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz. | 000335843, 000336481 | 4 oz. |
75152 | Dark Chocolate Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz. | 000335590, 000336482 | 4 oz. |
75153 | White Confectionery Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz. | 000335589 | 4 oz. |
75245 | Milk Chocolate Pretzel Rod 3pcs Asst. with Asher Bow 3.5 oz. | 000335802, 000335910, 000336608, 000337177 | 3.5 oz. |
75260 | Milk Pretzel Rod 3 piece assorted 3.5 oz. | 000335699, 000337664 | 3.5 oz. |
75261 | Milk Chocolate Pretzel Cluster 4 oz. | 000335930, 000336198, 000336378, 000336879, 000337013 | 4 oz. |
75277 | Milk Chocolate Coated Potato Chip Coffee Bag 8.5 oz. | 000336044 | 8.5 oz, |
75279 | Milk Boardwalk Crunch Coffee Bag 6 oz. | 000335043 | 6 oz. |
75282 | Dark Chocolate costed POTATO CHIP COFFEE BAG 8.5 oz. | 000335851 | 8.5 oz. |
76025 | Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop Multi Seeds 3 oz. | 000335722, 000337573, 000335462 | 3 oz. |
82379 | Milk SF Almond Butter Toffee 3 oz. | 000335955 | 3 oz. |
82421 | Milk Chocolate Fruit Center Bar 3.5 oz. | 000335414 | 3.5 oz. |
83851 | Dark Chocolate Almond Bark (Scored) 4 oz. | 000335647, 000335856 | 4 oz. |
83855 | Milk Chocolate Non Pareils with multi seed 4 oz. | 000335854 | 4 oz. |
83856 | Dark Chocolate Non Pareils with White Seed 4 oz. | 000335855 | 4 oz. |
83858 | Milk Chocolate Mini Pretzels 4 oz. | 000335588 | 4 oz. |
83859 | Dark Chocolate Mini Pretzel Ash Label 4 oz. | 000335862 | 4 oz. |
83860 | White Confectionery Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz. | 000335969, 000337245 | 4 oz. |
87145 | Milk and Dark Chocolate Fall Pretzel Pre Pack 3 per case | 000336450 | 4 oz. |
The recalled items can be identified by the production code printed on the side of the label. No other production codes are affected by this recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. No products manufactured by C.A. Asher Inc./Asher’s Chocolate Co. of Souderton PA are involved in this recall.
The recalled candy products were distributed nationwide in retail stores.
The potential for contamination was noted after a single sample from routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in a group of products. “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our primary concern, and we are taking this incident very seriously. In our 124 years of business, we have never previously detected Salmonella in our testing. We are working and cooperating fully with the U. S. Food & Drug Administration on this voluntary recall,” said Jeff Asher, President and CEO. “We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience.”
Consumers who may have purchased any product are urged not to consume it. Consumers should contact Customer Service to arrange for return of product and a refund. Customer Service can be contacted by email atcustomerservice@lewistownashers.com or by calling 888-288-3880 between 9AM and 5PM Eastern Time, Monday - Friday.