Canada-based Authentik Fudge is pulling out hundreds of chocolate products from the U.S. market, citing concerns about potential mold growth, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“We initiated this recall after a consumer complained about some mold pieces inside the purchased box and we found also some remaining unpacked sealed products at the manufactured place that had beginning signs of mold,” the notice reads.
“Consumers who have purchased those affected products are urged to destroy them or to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.”
The recalled products were sold in 5.6-ounce packages. The items are marked with lot number 0241500805, with an expiration date of March 1, 2025; lot 0241690105, with an expiration date of March 17, 2025; and lot 0241690205, with an expiration date of March 17, 2025. The details are listed on the back of the package.
No other products have been affected by the recall, the notice clarified. In addition, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the mold contamination issue.
Mold Infection in Food
Molds are not only present on the surface of food items but also found within, according to the USDA.“When a food shows heavy mold growth, ‘root’ threads have invaded it deeply. In dangerous molds, poisonous substances are often contained in and around these threads. In some cases, toxins may have spread throughout the food,” the agency states.
The poisonous mycotoxins that some molds produce are found mainly in nut and grain crops. Apples, grape juice, celery, and other produce can also harbor mycotoxin-producing mold.
According to some estimates, almost a quarter of the world’s food crops are affected by mycotoxins—the most toxic of which are aflatoxins.
Aflatoxins are a cancer-causing poison associated with various diseases. The USDA calls the prevention of aflatoxins “one of the most challenging toxicology issues.”
David Corry, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, previously told The Epoch Times that “most people, including physicians in the United States, are unaware of all the ways mold in foods can cause disease.”
The difficulty in diagnosing health issues linked to mold comes from the fact that its symptoms, such as brain fog and fatigue, are similar to other medical conditions.
“Food mold-related diseases also mimic many other conditions, hindering accurate diagnoses and delaying appropriate care,” Corry stated.
If mold contamination in food items was airborne, it could lead to allergic reactions ranging from mild symptoms such as coughing to severe ones such as asthma exacerbations.
Being exposed to mold for an extended period has been linked to brain inflammation, which can potentially harm cognitive functions and lead to mental health issues.
The USDA recommends that people clean the inside of refrigerators every few months to minimize mold growth in food products. For cleaning, it suggests using a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda and a quart of water.
The agency asked people to inspect food thoroughly before buying. For instance, examining stem areas on fresh produce may reveal signs of mold.
