Latest food scare - Salmonella in Hershey chocolate bars

Nov 13 2006

In the latest food scare to hit North America confectionary and biscuits by Hershey Canada have been recalled because they may be tainted with salmonella.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) along with Hershey Canada have released a list of 25 products they say could be contaminated with the bacteria and say although the products contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled, the bacteria can cause symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The CFIA and Hershey Canada say to date there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the candy or chocolate chips on the recall list, but consumers are advised not to eat any of those products, which are listed on the company's website.

The company's plant in Smith Falls, Ontario employs 500 people and has been closed since the salmonella was discovered last week.

A Hershey spokesman says during a quality check on Thursday, staff found "an externally-sourced ingredient that did not meet our standards."

The company, says the suspect products carry dates between Oct. 15 and Nov. 10. and do not include candy sold in bags for Halloween or Christmas items.

The CFIA says the products were sold across Canada and that Hershey is voluntarily recalling them from the marketplace.

Only the date codes starting with four digits ranging from 6417 to 6455 of the following products are included in the recall. The date codes can be found on the back of each unit.

Hershey products recalled include, Chipits Milk Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Mini Chocolate Chips,Chocolate Chip Bulk, Semi-Sweet Mint Chocolate ChipsCreamy Milk Chocolate With Almonds, Creamy Milk Chocolate; Oh Henry bars, Bites and Peanut Butter, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, special dark Chocolate, dark Chocolate with Almonds, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, Lowney Cherry Blossom and Bridge Mix, Glosette Peanuts, Almond and Raisin, Hersheys Chocolate Shell Topping, Eat More Dark Toffee Peanut Chew and Hersheys assorted 16 count, and 50 count, Nut Roll and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

A more detailed list can be seen at www.inspection.gc.ca and consumers who have purchased the items in question should contact Hershey Consumer Relations at 1-800-468-1714.