Asher’s Chocolates/Lewistown, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Candy Products Because of Possible Health Risk

4583161f-b699-46c3-a481-8a2de02484de-RecallAlert

For Immediate Release

Consumers

Customer Service customerservice@lewistownashers.com 888-288-3880
Media Jeff Asher 888-288-3880

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 UPCLabel DescriptionLot#Size
11516Milk Chocolate Pretzel Pieces 8 oz.0003344698 oz.
11517Dark Chocolate Pretzel Pieces 8 oz.0003344708 oz.
14765Milk Chocolate Vanilla Caramel with Sea Salt 4 oz.0003375564 oz.
47350Dark Chocolate Hostess Mint 6 oz.0003356156oz.
55115KEYSTONE CRUNCH 4 OZ BAG000336374, 0003376584 oz.
55165KEYSTONE CRUNCH 6 oz.0003355916 oz.
55180Milk Chocolate Coated Boardwalk Crunch 4 oz.0003356254 oz.
55185KEYSTONE CRUNCH 1 LB00033637516 oz.
63385Milk Chocolate with Fall String 4 oz.0003358524 oz.
63386Dark Chocolate mini Pretzels Fall String 4 oz.0003358484 oz.
65902Dark Chocolate Molasses Pop 4 oz.000336201, 0003358004 oz.
65902Dark Chocolate Molasses Pop 2 oz.0003363762 oz.
67395Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Heaven 3 oz.000337016, 0003376633 oz.
75005Milk Chocolate Nonpareil Pop 1.25 oz.000335701, 0003365201.25 oz.
75027Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop with Fall Leaves 3 oz.000337574, 0003376733 oz.
75030Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop with Christmas Seeds 3 oz.0003365213 oz.
75037Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop Multi Seeds 2.25 oz.000335803, 0003371732.25 oz.
75085Milk Chocolate Non Peril with Fall Seed 4 oz.0003359634 oz.
75086Dark Chocolate Non Pareils with Fall Seed 4 oz.0003358584 oz.
75087White Confectionery Coating Non pareils with orange and yellow seed 4 oz.0003371784 oz.
75107White Confectionery Coating Peanut Butter Cup 2.35 oz.000336377, 000337560, 0003376652.35 oz.
75141Milk Chocolate POTATO CHIP 4 oz.0003359184 oz.
75151Milk Chocolate Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz.000335843, 0003364814 oz.
75152Dark Chocolate Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz.000335590, 0003364824 oz.
75153White Confectionery Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz.0003355894 oz.
75245Milk Chocolate Pretzel Rod 3pcs Asst. with Asher Bow 3.5 oz.000335802, 000335910, 000336608, 0003371773.5 oz.
75260Milk Pretzel Rod 3 piece assorted 3.5 oz.000335699, 0003376643.5 oz.
75261Milk Chocolate Pretzel Cluster 4 oz.000335930, 000336198, 000336378, 000336879, 0003370134 oz.
75277Milk Chocolate Coated Potato Chip Coffee Bag 8.5 oz.0003360448.5 oz,
75279Milk Boardwalk Crunch Coffee Bag 6 oz.0003350436 oz.
75282Dark Chocolate costed POTATO CHIP COFFEE BAG 8.5 oz.0003358518.5 oz.
76025Milk Chocolate Crisped Rice Pop Multi Seeds 3 oz.000335722, 000337573, 0003354623 oz.
82379Milk SF Almond Butter Toffee 3 oz.0003359553 oz.
82421Milk Chocolate Fruit Center Bar 3.5 oz.0003354143.5 oz.
83851Dark Chocolate Almond Bark (Scored) 4 oz.000335647, 0003358564 oz.
83855Milk Chocolate Non Pareils with multi seed 4 oz.0003358544 oz.
83856Dark Chocolate Non Pareils with White Seed 4 oz.0003358554 oz.
83858Milk Chocolate Mini Pretzels 4 oz.0003355884 oz.
83859Dark Chocolate Mini Pretzel Ash Label 4 oz.0003358624 oz.
83860White Confectionery Coated Mini Pretzels 4 oz.000335969, 0003372454 oz.
87145Milk and Dark Chocolate Fall Pretzel Pre Pack 3 per case0003364504 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.

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