Recalled Spring Mulberry Flavors: Full List and FDA Details

Spring & Mulberry issued an expanded recall on January 14, 2026, after routine testing flagged possible Salmonella contamination in several date-sweetened chocolate bars. The voluntary recall covers multiple flavors—including Earl Grey, Lavender Rose, Mango Chili, and Mint Leaf—with consumers advised to stop eating affected products immediately.

Recalled Flavors: Earl Grey, Lavender Rose, Mango Chili, Mint Leaf · Recall Reason: Possible Salmonella Contamination · Announcement Date: 14 Jan 2026 · Issuing Authority: FDA and Spring & Mulberry

Which Spring and Mulberry flavors are recalled?

The recall expanded on January 14, 2026, to include multiple date-sweetened chocolate bars from Spring & Mulberry, a specialty brand based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Affected products were sold online and through select retailers nationwide starting September 15, 2025 (Powers Health).

Earl Grey details

The Earl Grey Chocolate Bar (lot #025258, purple box) is among the initial expanded flavors. The recall notice identifies it as part of the precautionary expansion announced two days after the Mint Leaf recall (Consumer Reports).

Lavender Rose product codes

Two lot codes fall under the Lavender Rose recall: #025259 and #025260, identifiable by their light blue box packaging. These were produced during the same equipment and time period as the contaminated batch (Consumer Reports).

Mango Chili and Mint Leaf

The Mango Chili bar (lot #025283, orange box) and Mint Leaf (lot #025255, teal box) complete the core recall list. According to Food Safety News, additional flavors included in the expanded notice are: Mixed Berry (#025275, #025281, #025337, purple box), Mulberry Fennel (#025345, burgundy box), Pecan Date (#025261, #025265, #025267, #025268, #025339, #025343, yellow box), and Pure Dark Minis (#025273, blue box).

Why was Spring and Mulberry chocolate recalled?

Spring & Mulberry initiated a voluntary recall after routine testing by their contract manufacturer detected Salmonella in the finished product (FDA). The recall is classified under Potential Foodborne Illness – Salmonella by the FDA.

Salmonella contamination risk

Salmonella causes serious illness and symptoms typically associated with foodborne illness. Unlike some contaminated products that require cooking to eliminate risk, chocolate bars are consumed as-is, making any presence a direct consumer hazard (Green Matters).

FDA involvement

The FDA posted both the initial and expanded recall notices and consulted on the expansion decision. The agency updated recall information throughout January 2026 (FDA Recall Expansion Page).

Expansion from initial recall

The original recall was limited to one lot of Mint Leaf on Jan 12, 2026, and expanded two days later. The company explained that because Salmonella can be difficult to detect and may appear intermittently, they decided to expand the recall beyond Mint Leaf in consultation with the FDA (Food Safety News).

The implication is that even brands with clean-label positioning face supply chain risks when relying on contract manufacturing for third-party testing protocols.

Does Spring and Mulberry chocolate have heavy metals?

The current recall centers on Salmonella contamination, not heavy metals. This distinction matters for consumers who may have encountered questions about heavy metals in artisanal chocolate—it’s a separate quality concern unrelated to this safety notice.

Heavy metals in chocolate context

Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium occasionally show up in conventional chocolate products due to soil uptake in cacao-growing regions. However, that’s a distinct issue from the bacterial contamination driving the Spring & Mulberry recall.

Comparison to organic brands

Organic or specialty branding does not guarantee freedom from heavy metals, though organic cacao farms often show lower levels due to soil management practices. Consumers seeking low-metal chocolate should look for brands that publish third-party testing data rather than relying on organic labels alone.

Where is Spring and Mulberry chocolate made?

Spring & Mulberry is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company uses a contract manufacturer for production, and that manufacturer conducted the routine third-party testing that detected the contamination. The identity of the contract manufacturer has not been publicly disclosed.

Manufacturing location

The brand operates primarily through direct-to-consumer online sales and select specialty retailers. Their specialty date-sweetened chocolate bars position them in the clean-label segment of the market (Powers Health).

Founder background

While specific founder information isn’t included in the recall documentation, the brand’s clean-label positioning and direct-to-consumer model suggest a deliberate approach to the specialty chocolate market. The company learned of the contamination issue from their contract manufacturer’s testing protocols.

What is the cleanest chocolate to eat?

For consumers navigating post-recall choices, the most reliable practice is checking lot codes before consuming any Spring & Mulberry product purchased between September 2025 and mid-January 2026. Beyond that, consumers seeking alternatives should focus on brands with transparent testing protocols.

Healthiest options post-recall

Brands that publish third-party testing results for both pathogen and heavy metal content offer more visibility into product quality. The specialty chocolate market has seen increased consumer demand for transparency, though the Spring & Mulberry recall highlights that even brands with clean-label positioning face supply chain risks.

Avoid recalled flavors

The most immediate action is to check your pantry. Lot codes are printed on the back of the packaging and inner flow wrap (FDA). Affected codes: #025255 (Mint Leaf, teal box), #025258 (Earl Grey, purple box), #025259 and #025260 (Lavender Rose, light blue box), #025283 (Mango Chili, orange box), plus additional codes for Mixed Berry, Mulberry Fennel, Pecan Date, and Pure Dark Minis.

Consumer Reports guidance

General food safety guidance recommends keeping receipts from specialty food purchases to facilitate refunds in the event of recalls. For future purchases, prioritizing brands that maintain rigorous testing protocols and provide clear product labeling can reduce exposure to contamination risks.

For U.S. consumers with Spring & Mulberry bars in their pantry, the action is simple: stop eating them, find the lot code on the back of the package or inner wrap, and compare it against the recall list. If it matches, reach out for a refund. The broader question is whether the specialty chocolate segment’s reliance on contract manufacturing creates structural quality risks that even rigorous testing can’t fully eliminate.

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