Hershey's chocolates contain salmonella

A variety of Hershey chocolate products and candies in Canada were voluntarily recalled Sunday because of fears of salmonella contamination at a factory.

Photo: Hershey's chocolates contain salmonella

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the products, the Hershey Co. said in a statement.

Hershey brand chocolate bars, chocolate chips, Oh Henry! bars, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, and Cherry Blossom sweets were among the products voluntarily recalled.

None of the recalled products were produced for Halloween or Christmas products.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials said they were told by Hershey that it does not appear there was a widespread delivery of the affected products to stores.

It was not clear where in Canada the affected products may have ended up and it is not known how long it will take to find that out, said Marie-Andree Lefebvre, a CFIA spokeswoman.

The recall involves chocolate produced at the Smiths Falls, Ontario, factory between Oct. 15 and Nov. 10, Lefebvre said.

The recalled chocolate and candy can be identified by date codes found on the back of each package the affected date codes range from 6417 to 6455.

Consumers should check codes on chocolate bars they purchase as not every product on store shelves are affected.

"For example it's not all the Oh Henry! bars that are affected by this recall," Lefebvre said.

Hershey officials did not return telephone calls Sunday.

The Hershey plant in Smiths Falls opened in June 1963 and produces 45,000 kilograms of chocolate a year.

Production was shut down last week with no word from the company on when it will resume, reports AP.

Salmonella generally cause a nonfatal, diarrhea-causing illness. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever and headache.

There are about 2,500 types of salmonella.