Willy Pete's Chocolate Company LLC Recalls Almond Despair Chocolates Due to Labeling Error

Source: FDA · MA, SC, CT

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, the CDC PLACES population-level health analysis, and the CMS Hospital Compare quality data, Areazine publishes editorial articles drawing on more than 19,000 U.S. city profiles. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

Willy Pete's Chocolate Company LLC is recalling 54 units of Almond Despair dark chocolate bars because almonds were omitted from the ingredient statement.

What this FDA recall tells you, and what most readers miss

This notice was issued by FDA on February 17, 2026 and geographically references MA, SC, CT. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken — "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to — FDA Recalls — determines the regulatory framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, recalls, evacuations) are available to affected individuals and who holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.

Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to read it as a data point about the issuing system: how quickly FDA detected the hazard, how precise the geographic or product-identifier scope is, and whether similar notices have clustered in the same category or region in the last 90 days. Cluster patterns frequently precede a broader regulatory action — a single localized FDA recall is isolated; three of them within a quarter often indicate a supply-chain, infrastructure, or seasonal driver that will keep producing notices until something structural changes.

For decision-making, Areazine pairs each alert with the original agency URL, the full agency name, and a timestamp so you can verify the notice against the primary source before acting on it. Tags on this item (recall, product-safety, fda, Food) map to related alerts in the same area of risk — browsing them together gives a clearer picture than any single notice alone, because the shape of an ongoing issue only becomes visible across multiple sequential alerts.

What Happened

Willy Pete's Chocolate Company LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of its "Almond Despair" dark chocolate bars. The recall was issued because almonds were not declared in the product's formal ingredient statement. While the presence of almonds is noted in the product description on the front label, their omission from the ingredient list constitutes a labeling violation. The FDA has classified this as a Class III recall.

Which Products Are Affected

The recall involves 54 units of the following product distributed in Connecticut (CT), Massachusetts (MA), and South Carolina (SC):

  • Product Name: Willy Pete's Chocolates brand Almond Despair; Dark Chocolate with Coconuts, Almonds, & Carolina Reapers
  • UPC: 09872615
  • Recall Number: H-0484-2026
  • Ingredients Listed: Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Oil & Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil), Cocoa Powder, Soy Lecithin, Whey Powder (Milk), Salt, Coconut, Water Propylene Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Macadamia nuts, and Carolina Reaper Powder.
  • Allergen Statement: Contains Milk, Soy, and Tree Nuts. May contain traces of peanuts.

What You Should Do

Consumers who have purchased Willy Pete's Almond Despair bars and have an allergy or sensitivity to almonds should be aware that almonds are present in the product despite being missing from the ingredient list. The firm, located at 25 Otto Dr, Harwinton, CT, has initiated notification through various channels including email, fax, letter, and telephone.

Why This Matters

Accurate ingredient labeling is a critical safety requirement for food manufacturers. This recall ensures that consumers with specific food allergies have access to complete and accurate information to avoid potential health risks.

Source

Information provided by the FDA.

Original source: FDA Official Notice ↗

All FDA Recalls →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this FDA recall.

What is this FDA recall about?
Willy Pete's Chocolate Company LLC is recalling 54 units of Almond Despair dark chocolate bars because almonds were omitted from the ingredient statement.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by FDA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "low" severity. No immediate action required, but stay aware.
What area is affected?
This alert affects MA, SC, CT. Check with FDA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more FDA Recalls updates?
Browse the full FDA Recalls feed on Areazine at areazine.com/recalls/fda/ for the latest updates from FDA and other agencies.