Some Lots of Simply Lite Brand Dark Chocolate Recalled

Testing reveals significant amounts of milk protein potentially putting those with milk allergy at risk

/ Author:  / Reviewed by: Joseph V. Madia, MD Beth Bolt, RPh

People read ingredient labels on food packaging not only to see if a food has healthy ingredients, but also to see if that food contains anything they're allergic to. One brand of chocolate bar seems to have left one ingredient off of its label.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns consumers that it has tested and found milk protein in 3-ounce bars of Simply Lite brand 50% Cacao Low Carb Sugar Free Dark Chocolate bearing the lot codes “Best By: 01 18 2015A” or “Best By: 01 19 2015A.” Milk is a major food allergen, but it is not declared as an ingredient on the label.

People who have a milk allergy or a severe sensitivity to milk may have a serious or life threatening reaction if they eat the product.

Simply Natural Foods of Commack, N.Y., has agreed to recall the 3-ounce Simply Lite chocolate bars from these lots.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done about the Problem?

FDA testing found milk protein, a major food allergen, in 3-ounce bars of Simply Lite brand 50% Cacao Low Carb Sugar Free Dark Chocolate bearing the lot codes “Best By: 01 18 2015A” or “Best By: 01 19 2015A.” Milk is not declared as an ingredient on the label. FDA tests of samples taken from these two lots found more than 3,500 parts per million of milk protein in single 3-ounce bars of the chocolate, which is equivalent to the amount found in about 4 teaspoons of whole milk. Although the product label bears the advisory statement “may contain traces of milk,” the amount of milk protein found in the samples of this product is not what the scientific community and consumers may regard as trace amounts. Simply Natural Foods has agreed to recall the two lots.

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?

Food allergy symptoms typically appear within minutes or develop up to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which they are allergic. Allergic reactions range from mild symptoms to a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms can include hives; flushed skin or rash; tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth; face, tongue, or lip swelling; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal cramps; coughing or wheezing; dizziness or lightheadedness; swelling of the throat and vocal cords; difficulty breathing; and a drop in blood pressure.

Who is at Risk?

People who have a milk allergy or a severe sensitivity to milk may be at risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they eat products containing milk.

What do Consumers Need to Do?

People who are allergic to milk or have a severe sensitivity to milk should not eat Simply Lite chocolate bars from either of these lots.

What Does the Product Look Like?

The product is packaged in a brown plastic wrapper and labeled as Simply Lite brand 50% Cacao Low Carb Sugar Free Dark Chocolate 3-ounce bars bearing the lot codes “Best By: 01 18 2015A” or “Best By: 01 19 2015A” on the back of the packaging. These are the only lots tested by the FDA and the only lots that the FDA has found to contain milk protein.

Photos of the product can be viewed on the FDA’s Flickr Photostream disclaimer icon.

Where is it Distributed?

The product was distributed to retail stores and markets in Calif., Fla., Ga., Ind., Nev., Mass., N.C., N.J., N.Y., Pa., Va., Wash., and Canada.    

Who Should be Contacted?

The FDA asks consumers to report any adverse reactions from eating the product to an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator.

Review Date: 
March 20, 2014