Earlier this week, Sioux City, Iowa-based Palmer Candy Co. issued a limited recall of certain chocolate products after being informed by Valley Milk Products, a Maryland-based cooperative, that the milk powder used in a compound chocolate coating supplied by Blommer Chocolate Co. to Palmer Candy Co. has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The voluntary recall, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), includes selected products produced between Oct. 20, 2016, and Dec. 9, 2016, and shipped by Palmer Candy Co. to grocery, convenience store and wholesale customers nationwide. Among the products recalled are barks and chocolate-covered pretzels.

“We are truly sorry for any distress this recall causes to our retail customers and to consumers,” says Marty Palmer, president and ceo of Palmer Candy Co. “We remain committed to the highest standards in food quality and safety. We are taking this recall very seriously and truly appreciate the cooperation of our customers as we work to resolve this matter promptly.”

Hostess Brands LLC of Kansas City, Mo., also initiated a nationwide recall of its Holiday White Peppermint Twinkies late Monday because of a recall by Blommer Chocolate Co. on the confectionery coating used on the Twinkies, according to the notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

Hostess distributed the recalled peppermint Twinkies, sold in nine-packs, to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States. Although the Twinkies were a seasonal item, the product does have a long shelf life and still could be in consumer cupboards.

Those who have purchased the peppermint Twinkies can identify the recalled item by the UPC number 888109111571. To date, there have been no reported illnesses associated with any of the products affected by either recall. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

According to Food Safety News, the widespread recall was the result of a Nov. 30 raid by U.S. Marshals on the Valley Milk plant in Strasburg, Va. Marshals seized 4 million pounds of powdered milk and buttermilk, valued at almost $4 million.

“In a document filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the FDA reported environmental swabs collected at the production facility returned positive results for Salmonella,” the story reads. “Inspectors also found internal records at Valley Milk that showed the company itself had found Salmonella in the facility and in finished products.”

In December, Valley Milk Products recalled 3.1 million pounds of powdered milk products produced and sold between Dec. 5, 2015, and July 10, 2016.

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. 

Consumers who have purchased Palmer products can speak with a customer service representative at Palmer Candy Co. by calling 712-258-5543 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.

Consumers who have purchased the peppermint Twinkies can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, consumers may call 800-483-7253 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.