Chocolate Covered Easter Eggs Recalled For Salmonella

Zachary Confections, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of certain production lots of its Zachary Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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.

Zachary Confections has initiated this voluntary recall in response to a test result indicating the potential for Salmonella contamination in a sample taken during routine post-production testing from one of the production lots of product that is the subject of this recall. Out of an abundance of caution, Zachary Confections is recalling all lots of product that may have been affected.

The product is packaged in white egg crates with purple, green and yellow lettering. The specific Case UPC numbers, Unit UPC numbers, Code Dates and Best Buy Date for the recalled products are listed below.

Product/Brand	Case UPC	Unit UPC	Code Dates	Best Buy Date
Zachary Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Egg Crates 5 oz [Product # 31-797] (white colored egg crate with colored lettering)	1 00 75186 31797 3	0 75186 15797 8	D3245D; D3145E; F3145E; D3245E	02/14/14

The Best Buy Date and Code Dates are located on the side panel of the product packaging next to the Unit UPC bar code label.

The recalled product was manufactured on February 20 and February 21, 2013, and was shipped from the Zachary Confections’ facility on February 21 and February 22, 2013.The recalled products have been distributed to some retail stores located in sections of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

No other Zachary Confections products are involved in this recall.

To date Zachary Confections has not received any consumer illness complaints associated with its products. As part of its priority to ensure the safety and quality of all of its products, Zachary Confections is issuing the voluntary recall.

Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the potential problem.

"We are dedicated to manufacturing wholesome products for our customers," said George Anichini, Vice President – Operations of Zachary Confections. "Consistent with that dedication, we are taking this voluntary action."

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should destroy or return them to the store where they were purchased. Anyone requiring more information should contact Zachary Confections Customer Service at (765) 654-8356 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm EST.