If you have a sweet tooth and are unable to resist chocolate or candy, then the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning is one you should take seriously.
After it was revealed that products manufactured by the Kentucky-based Bauer's Candies may be contaminated with Hepatitis A, the FDA issued a recall and is now urging consumers to throw away any potentially tainted candies.
Bauer's Candies released a statement on their website, explaining that a worker at their factory has tested positive for the disease. They temporarily shut down production and discarded all of their food products.
"Upon notification of his illness, Bauer's voluntarily closed the facility, discarded all candy in house, sanitized per protocol, and began working with Federal and State agencies."
The government agency is asking people to get rid of all Bauer's Candies Chocolate or Caramel Modjeskas that were purchased after November 15, 2018.
These products were sold at several retail locations, including QVC stores as well as BauersCandy.com.
So far, no cases of Hepatitis A related to the candies have been reported. However, the FDA reminded people that the virus's incubation period is slow and it cold take between 15 and 50 days after exposure for symptoms to show.
The good news is that both Bauer's and the FDA have claimed that the risk of transmission from the candies is "low."
"Although the risk of hepatitis A transmission from the candy is low, FDA recommends that consumers who ate candies purchased after November 14, 2018 and have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated," the company's statement continued.
Bauer's Candies has since been cleared by the FDA to resume operations. They reassured their customers that they have been "operating without incident since Nov. 25," so any product made after that date is safe to eat.