Have you checked your candy stash lately? You might want to take a closer look at those sweet treats sitting in your pantry. Palmer Candy Company has just announced a massive recall affecting more than two dozen candy products sold at major stores nationwide. If you’ve recently bought white chocolate covered pretzels, cookies, or other confectionery items from Walmart, Target, Dollar General, or Hy-Vee, your snacks might be on the recall list. The reason? Potential salmonella contamination that could turn your sweet indulgence into an unwelcome stomach ache or worse.
Palmer candy recall affects 29 different products
The recall is pretty extensive, covering 29 different candy and snack products that Palmer Candy Company distributed across 17 states. These aren’t obscure brands either – we’re talking about items you probably see every time you shop at Walmart, Target, Dollar General, or Hy-Vee. The affected products are mostly white chocolate coated items like pretzels, cookies, and other confectionery snacks that many of us enjoy as occasional treats or grab as last-minute gifts. What makes this recall particularly concerning is how widespread these products are – they’ve been shipped to stores all over the country.
According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after they discovered a potential contamination from an ingredient supplied to Palmer Candy Company. The company has temporarily suspended production of all affected items while they work with the FDA to investigate the source of the problem. The good news is that so far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products, but the company isn’t taking any chances with consumer safety.
How to identify if your candy is affected
Wondering if that bag of chocolate-covered pretzels in your pantry is safe to eat? You’ll need to check a few things. The recalled products have specific best-by dates ranging from November 2024 to April 2025. Look for this information on the packaging – it’s usually stamped somewhere on the back or bottom of the container. The recall affects multiple packaging sizes and types, so don’t assume you’re safe just because you bought a smaller or larger package than what you’ve heard mentioned. Also, pay attention to the brand name – while Palmer is the manufacturer, these products are sold under about 10 different brand names.
If you discover you have one of the affected products, don’t eat it! The company advises customers to return any recalled items to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Not sure if what you have is part of the recall? The complete list of recalled items includes specific lot codes and UPC numbers to help you identify them. When in doubt, it’s always better to be cautious – either check with the store where you bought the candy or contact Palmer Candy Company directly for verification.
What is salmonella and why is it so serious
You might be wondering what the big deal is about salmonella. It’s not just a minor tummy ache – salmonella can cause some pretty nasty symptoms that nobody wants to experience. If you eat something contaminated with this bacteria, you could end up with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after infection. These symptoms typically last four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. However, for some people, the infection can be much more serious and even life-threatening.
Who’s most at risk? Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe salmonella infections. In these groups, the bacteria can sometimes spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and cause serious complications that require hospitalization. That’s why food safety officials and companies take potential salmonella contamination so seriously – what might be an uncomfortable few days for one person could be dangerous for someone else. The Palmer recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential illnesses.
This isn’t the first major candy recall in recent years
The Palmer Candy recall isn’t a one-off event – it’s actually part of a pattern of candy recalls we’ve seen in recent years. Just a few months ago, Tony’s Chocolonely recalled two of their chocolate bar products – the Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bar and the Everything Bar – because of potential contamination with small stones. Can you imagine biting into a chocolate bar and finding a stone? Not exactly the crunchy texture most of us are looking for in our candy! That recall affected specific lot codes that were distributed nationwide between February and March 2025.
Other major candy manufacturers have faced similar issues. In 2023, Mars Wrigley had to recall 13 products, including popular candies like Starburst and Skittles, due to metal contaminants found in the candy. Metal fragments in gummy candy isn’t just unappetizing – it’s dangerous! And remember the Jif peanut butter recall in 2022? That led to recalls of many candies and baked goods containing the contaminated peanut butter. These incidents show that even big brands with extensive quality control can sometimes face contamination issues that lead to widespread recalls.
What stores are removing the affected candies
If you regularly shop at major retail chains, you’ve probably already noticed some empty spaces on the candy shelves. Walmart, Target, Dollar General, and Hy-Vee have all been instructed to remove the affected Palmer Candy products from their shelves immediately. These stores have been quick to comply with the recall notice, pulling the products and posting recall notices to alert customers. The recall affects stores in 17 states specifically, but because the products were distributed nationwide, retailers across the country are checking their inventory to ensure no contaminated products remain on shelves.
What happens to all that recalled candy? The retailers will return the products to Palmer Candy Company, who will then dispose of them safely. If you’ve already purchased recalled items, you can return them to the store for a full refund. Most stores don’t even require a receipt in recall situations, though policies can vary. The retailers are also working to restock their shelves with safe alternatives, so you won’t have to go without your sweet treats for long. Just make sure to check that any replacement products you buy aren’t part of the recall.
Other candy recalls to be aware of right now
The Palmer Candy recall isn’t the only one you should know about. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company has also recently recalled some of its Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias. This recall isn’t due to salmonella though – it’s because of undeclared allergens. The products might contain almonds and cashews that aren’t listed on the label, which could be really dangerous for people with nut allergies. The affected bags were distributed to major retailers like ACME Markets, Walmart, and Target across multiple states, so check your pantry if you’ve bought these treats recently.
In addition to chocolate recalls, there’s also been a recall of Martinelli’s apple juice that tested “above the guidance action level” for inorganic arsenic. The affected juices were sold in one-liter containers at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Kroger. These products have “Best By” dates of 09MAR2026 or 10MAR2026. If you have one of these bottles, don’t drink it! You should discard it immediately and contact the company for a refund. Remember, these recalls are announced to protect consumers, so always take them seriously.
Food recalls are an important part of our safety net, even when they disrupt our snacking plans. The Palmer Candy recall shows how our food safety system catches potential problems before they cause widespread harm. Next time you’re at the store, take a moment to check if your favorite treats are affected by any current recalls. And remember – when in doubt, it’s better to return or toss questionable food items than risk getting sick. Your health is always worth more than the cost of a bag of candy.
