Bay Area chocolate recall upgraded to highest level by FDA

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a recall of chocolate-covered snacks and nuts from a Bay Area company to its highest risk level due to undisclosed allergens that could have deadly consequences if consumed.

Initial recall

What we know:

Cal Yee Farm, based in Suisun City, first issued the recall on Dec. 12 for some of its chocolate and yogurt-covered nuts, fruits, and trail mix, including dark chocolate walnuts and yogurt-coated almonds. These products may contain milk, wheat, sesame, and soy that are not listed as ingredients, according to the FDA.

Recall upgraded

What they're saying:

The federal agency announced in its most recent Enforcement Report for the week of Jan. 29 that the Cal Yee Farms alert was upgraded to a Class 1 recall, the highest level.

The FDA defines a Class 1 recall as a "situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."

Where were the snacks sold?

Dig deeper:

The products were sold in California, Arizona, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and through the company's online store.

While there have been no reports of illnesses, consuming the products could have serious or fatal effects for some.

"People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," the recall notice said.

The recall was activated after an FDA inspection of the Cal Yee Farms facility, where inspectors discovered that products containing milk, soy, wheat, sesame, and almonds were distributed in packaging that was not properly labeled.