A new chocolate recall is drawing attention because it involves Ghirardelli, a brand many people instantly know and trust. The recall is not for regular chocolate bars or boxed chocolates. It is for certain Ghirardelli powdered beverage mixes, including products used for hot cocoa, frappes, sweet ground powders, and similar drink mixes.
The concern is possible Salmonella contamination. According to the FDA-posted company notice, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company announced the voluntary recall on April 27, 2026, and the FDA published it on April 28, 2026. The recall follows a separate milk powder recall by California Dairies, Inc. That milk powder was supplied to a third-party manufacturer and used as an ingredient in some Ghirardelli powdered beverage mixes.
Why Ghirardelli Recalled the Products
The recalled mixes may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The company notice says the affected products were mainly packed in large formats meant for food service and institutional customers. That means restaurants, cafés, hotels, offices, catering businesses, and similar buyers are more likely to have them.
Still, the company also said some of these powdered beverage mixes may have been available to consumers through e-commerce platforms. So it is worth checking if you recently bought a large Ghirardelli drink mix online.
As of the company notice, no illnesses had been reported. That matters, but it does not make the recall something to ignore. Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. The FDA notice also warns that Salmonella infections can be serious, especially for young children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems.
Which Ghirardelli Products Are Included?
The FDA notice says the recall is limited to specific Ghirardelli powdered beverage mixes only. These include large-format products such as 30 lb Chocolate Flavored Frappe, 30 lb Classic White Frappe, 4/2 lb Premium Hot Cocoa Pouch Bulk, and several sweet ground powder and frappe mix products listed by lot number and “Best if Used by” date.
This is not a blanket recall of every Ghirardelli product. The key thing is to match the product name, lot number, and date listed in the official notice. If the label does not match the recalled list, it is not part of this specific recall based on the information posted by the FDA.
Anyone who has one of the recalled products can contact Ghirardelli directly at 1-844-776-0419. The FDA-posted notice says the line is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for questions or more information.
Other Recent Chocolate Recalls to Know About
This Ghirardelli recall is not the only recent chocolate-related recall posted by the FDA. On April 24, 2026, the FDA published a recall for French Broad Chocolate Bette’s Bake Sale Bonbon Collection in 6-piece, 12-piece, and 24-piece boxes. That recall involved undeclared walnuts in batches 260414 and 260417. The company said the issue came from a labeling error in the tasting notes insert, where the Walnut Fudge and Peach Cobbler bonbons were switched in the guide.
The FDA also posted a recall on April 27, 2026, for Uncle Giuseppe’s 11 oz Milk Chocolate Bridge Mix, recalled by We R Nuts. That recall involved undeclared milk, soy, and cashews. The product was distributed in New York and New Jersey through Uncle Giuseppe’s retail stores.
What You Should Do Before Eating or Using It
The safest first step is to check the packaging. Look for the product name, lot number, sell-by date, or “Best if Used by” date. Do not rely only on the front of the package, especially with bulk drink mixes or gift-style chocolates.
If your product matches an official recall, do not use it. Follow the company’s return, refund, or disposal instructions. For allergy-related recalls, the risk is mainly for people with allergies or serious sensitivities. For the Ghirardelli recall, the concern is possible Salmonella, so the recalled product should not be used even if it looks, smells, or tastes normal.
The main point is simple: check before serving, selling, gifting, or using any recalled chocolate product. A few minutes spent reading the label can prevent a much bigger problem.
