The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised the recall status of around 24 candy and snack items sold at retailers like Target and Walmart to a high-level health hazard.

Customers should inspect their pantry, as certain recalled items—linked to potential salmonella contamination—have best-by dates extending to April 2025. The products from Palmer Candy Co., based in Sioux City, Iowa, were initially recalled on May 6 due to concerns over possibly tainted white candy coatings on pretzels, cookies, and other snacks, as stated by the FDA.

The affected snacks were available across the nation in stores such as Dollar General, HyVee, Target, and Walmart, and were also distributed to wholesalers in several states including Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, according to the FDA.

FDA: Palmer Candy recall categorized as ‘high-risk’

Recently, the FDA elevated the recall of Palmer Candy products to a Class I level, indicating “there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” based on the agency’s criteria. The change in the recall status was initially reported by the Consumer Affairs website.

Lower classifications are assigned when there’s a possibility of “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” (Class II) or when a product is deemed unlikely to “cause adverse health consequences” (Class III), according to the FDA.

During the first recall announcement, Palmer Candy CEO Marty Palmer confirmed that production was suspended while an investigation was underway.

“Though the chance of contamination is extremely low, in food safety, 99.9% certainty is not the same as 100%,” he stated to the Des Moines Register, part of the YSL News Network.

The potential issue was traced back to dairy powders supplied to the candy coating manufacturer.

“It came from a supplier’s supplier,” Palmer clarified.

List of Recalled Palmer Candy Products and Their Best By Dates

Consumers who have bought any of the recalled white-coated confections are encouraged to return them to the store for a complete refund. Here’s a list of the recalled items alongside their Best By dates:

Products Best-By Dates

• Caramel Swirl Pretzels 4oz           12/18/24-12/28/2024
• Caramel Swirl Pretzels  6oz           12/19/24, 12/20/24 and 1/19/25
• Classic Yogurt Pretzels 28#               12/11/24 – 1/8/25
• Cookies & Cream Yummy Chow 14#        12/6/24 – 1/23/25
• Drizzled Caramel Corn 5oz 1/22/25
• Drizzled Caramel Corn Snack Mix Bowl 12oz 1/22/25
• Enrobed Pretzel Rods 8oz             1/22/25
• Favorite Day Bakery White Fudge Mini Cookies 7oz  4/4/25, 4/5/25, 4/15/25, 4/18/25
• Frosted Munchy Medley Bowl 15oz          1/3/25
• Frosted Patriot Frosted Pretzels 28#         1/2/25, 1/3/25
• Frosted Pretzels 6oz        1/23/25
• Munchy Medley 15#       12/14/24, 1/3/25
• Munchy Medley 4oz        12/25/24-12/28/24 and 1/19/25
• Munchy Medley 6oz        12/20/24
• Munchy Medley To Go 4oz           12/25/24, 1/19/25
• Patriotic Munchy Medley Bowl  15oz        1/19/25
• Patriotic Pretzels 14oz     1/25/25, 1/26/25
• Patriotic Pretzels  6oz      1/19/25
• Patriotic Red, White & Blue Pretzel Twists  14oz        12/13/24 – 1/15/25
• Patriotic Snack Mix 13oz               1/19/25, 1/22/25 and 2/1/25
• Patriotic Snack Mix 7oz         4/23/25, 4/24/25
• Patriotic White Fudge Cookies  13.5oz     4/22/25
• Peanut Butter Snack Mix 12oz     11/13/24 – 12/15/24
• Peanut Butter Snack Mix To Go 4.5oz       1/18/25
• Snackin’ With the Crew! Mizzou Munchy Medley 7oz 12/18/24, 12/19/24
• Snackin’ With the Crew! Tiger Treats  7oz               12/18/24, 12/19/24
• Star Snacks Chow Down 25#       12/6/24, 12/7/24
• Strawberry Yogurt Coated Pretzels 10oz 1/5/25, 1/23/25
• Sweet Smiles Yogurt Covered Pretzels 3.25oz              12/18/24 – 1/4/25
• Vanilla Yogurt Covered Pretzels  10oz       12/18/24, 1/5/25, 1/22/25
• Yogurt Pretzel 14#           12/14/24 – 12/21/24
• Zebra Fudge Cookies  7oz             3/20/25-4/30/25

Understanding Salmonella: Symptoms and Risks

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. According to the FDA, contamination can enter the food production process if individuals who handle food fail to wash their hands and maintain cleanliness. This can lead to severe, and at times deadly, infections in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Salmonella poisoning symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days post-infection, often persisting for four to seven days. The symptoms include:

• Diarrhea that is bloody or persists for over three days without improvement
• Diarrhea accompanied by a fever exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Abdominal cramps
• Severe vomiting, especially if it hinders fluid intake
• Dehydration signs like a dry mouth, infrequent urination, and dizziness when standing up