Class I · Recall · initiated December 20, 2025 · Terminated
Fran's Chocolates recalls 112 PureBar Almondmilk Chocolate bars for undeclared hazelnut
A Seattle chocolatier recalled 112 units of its 1.1-ounce PureBar Almondmilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar plant-based bar, sold in four states and online, because the bar contains hazelnut not listed on the label.
The record
- Firm
- Fran's Chocolates Ltd, Seattle, WA
- Product
- Fran s PureBar Almondmilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based, net wt. 1.1oz, UPC 7 49668 24280 2. Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa beans, almonds, sunflower lecithin, vanilla extract. May contain traces of milk, peanuts and sesame. Fran's Chocolates, Ltd. Seattle, WA 98108.
- Reason, as filed
- “undeclared hazelnut.”
- Classification
- Class I (Class I: reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death)
- Recall number
- H-0399-2026
- Initiated
- December 20, 2025
- Posted by FDA
- January 21, 2026
- Status
- Terminated · Voluntary: Firm initiated
- Quantity
- 112 units
- Distribution
- Distributed in CO, MA, NV, WA and online at www.frans.com
Verify: search any recall number above in FDA's enforcement report database.
Why it happened, in plain English
The filed reason is “undeclared hazelnut.” The label lists sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa beans, almonds, sunflower lecithin and vanilla, with a “may contain traces of milk, peanuts and sesame” statement. Hazelnut appears nowhere. The record does not say how it got in. In general terms, a chocolatier making bars with almonds and hazelnuts on shared equipment faces two distinct risks: a nut mix-up at the bench, or carryover from a previous run.
The lesson for small confectioners is about that advisory statement. A “may contain” line only helps if it reflects what actually runs on the line. Listing milk, peanuts and sesame while omitting hazelnut suggests the allergen map for that equipment was incomplete, whatever the direct cause. One hundred twelve units across Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington and the company website; recall terminated.
Who else should care
Small chocolate and confectionery makers producing several nut-based bars on the same tempering and molding equipment. Tree nuts are individually declarable allergens, so almond on the label does not cover hazelnut.
Firms using a “may contain” statement should treat it as a controlled document that changes whenever a new nut enters the kitchen. Check: whether your advisory allergen statement lists every tree nut handled on the same equipment, and whether it was updated the last time you added a product.
Written 2026-09-08. Analysis is editorial; the record above is FDA's.