What began as a simple labeling oversight is now at the center of a national food safety alert with serious consequences for people with life-threatening dairy allergies.

Lipari Foods has recalled 14-ounce tubs of its JLM-branded “Dark Chocolate Nonpareils” across the U.S. after the candy was found to contain undeclared milk, prompting an alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday, June 20, 2025, as People reports.

The Michigan-based company issued the voluntary recall after learning of the labeling error from one of its suppliers, Pennsylvania-based Weaver Nut Company. According to the FDA, the undeclared allergen poses a severe health risk to people with a milk allergy and could result in potentially fatal reactions. The recall affects multiple lot numbers of the product distributed nationwide.

FDA sounds alarm

According to the FDA’s official announcement, the 14-ounce plastic tubs of the chocolate candy did not list milk as an ingredient on their labels, a serious omission for consumers who rely on such information to avoid hazardous allergic reactions. The affected products can be identified by six specific lot codes: 28202501A, 29202501A, 23202504A, 14202505A, 15202505A, and 03202506A.

In its advisory, the FDA emphasized the potential seriousness of allergic reactions to milk, particularly among vulnerable populations. “People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products,” the agency stated. No illnesses related to the recalled chocolate have been reported as of June 20.

The recall appears to have been triggered swiftly once Lipari Foods was alerted by Weaver Nut Company. Weaver Nut is a known distributor and manufacturer of confections and nuts. Lipari, with headquarters in Warren, Michigan, began distributing the mislabeled candies in retail locations across the country.

Refund pledged

Lipari Foods' Dark Chocolate Nonpareils were sold in 14-ounce clear plastic tubs, a packaging format that can make them easy to identify for those looking to verify their purchase details. Shoppers are urged to look for the lot codes on the bottom or side of the tub to determine whether the product is affected by the recall.

The FDA advises anyone who has bought these dark chocolate candies to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. This message is consistent with standard FDA protocol when dealing with potentially dangerous, undeclared allergens in food products. The recall has gained media attention due to its nationwide scope and the seriousness of the risk involved.

Lipari Foods has yet to publicly address the recall. As of Saturday, the company had not responded to questions from major media outlets, including People magazine. The silence has left some consumers seeking more transparency as they clear their shelves of the potentially dangerous treat.

A troubling pattern of allergen-related recalls

This recall comes in the wake of a similar incident in December 2024, when Cal Yee Farms issued a large-scale recall of chocolate products due to undisclosed ingredients, including milk and five other allergens. That case escalated in January 2025, when the FDA elevated the recall’s threat level upon further review of undeclared allergens.

The rising frequency of these recalls is prompting concern among allergy awareness advocates and health officials. Undeclared allergens are the most common cause of U.S. food recalls and can have immediate and devastating health consequences if consumed unknowingly by allergic individuals. Routine food labeling practices are under intense scrutiny in light of these recurring events.

According to the FDA, the situation with Lipari’s product highlights the importance of strict oversight and coordination between manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory agencies. Quick action from Weaver Nut Company likely prevented a situation that could have resulted in multiple allergic emergencies across the country.

Lessons to learn

1. Always read ingredient labels carefully -- even for familiar products. Manufacturers may reformulate items or experience packaging errors without warning. If you or someone in your household has severe food allergies, it's crucial to recheck labels each time you buy an item, especially confections and snack foods.

2. Know how to respond in a food allergy emergency. If someone with a known allergy accidentally ingests an allergen, administer epinephrine immediately and call 911. Timing is critical with anaphylactic reactions, and knowing the signs -- swelling, difficulty breathing, rash, or vomiting—can save lives.

3. Hold manufacturers accountable but remain vigilant as a consumer. While companies and regulatory agencies must ensure safe labeling, errors can still happen. This story is a reminder that any consumer can be affected and that food safety is a layered responsibility. At the same time, it’s vital to avoid blaming victims, as no amount of caution can eliminate risk.

Why this story matters

This incident emphasizes the real-world consequences of food labeling mistakes and the life-threatening consequences for certain consumers.

It sheds light on the importance of corporate responsibility and the necessary vigilance required in manufacturing and quality control. The story also serves as a reminder to support continued improvement in allergen notification systems and consumer safety practices.

Recall underscores continued danger

The nationwide notice -- posted by the FDA just days ago -- has been one of the more prominent food safety stories of the summer due to its implications for individuals with milk allergies. The proactive response by Weaver Nut Company, which alerted Lipari Foods to the undeclared milk, was a crucial step in avoiding potential tragedies before they occurred.

Consumers who unknowingly purchased the recalled JLM “Dark Chocolate Nonpareils” are being urged to check for affected lot numbers and return the products to the point of purchase. The FDA maintains routine oversight and regularly issues alerts to guard against such risks, but experts believe more needs to be done to prevent such oversights before products reach the shelf.

For now, families across the country are examining their cupboards with caution as they respond to the recall, grateful that no allergic incidents have been reported so far. However, many are left wondering how such a mistake happened in the first place, and whether it could happen again.