A Closer Look at the 2025 Product Recall
In April 2025, Tony's Chocolonely issued a voluntary recall for specific batches of its Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything bars across multiple countries, including the US, UK, and the Netherlands. The recall was prompted by consumer complaints of finding small, natural stones in the chocolate bars. The company traced the issue back to a single supplier where almonds were insufficiently processed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall as a Class II health hazard, meaning exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. Tony's moved quickly to issue the recall and advised consumers to return affected products for a full refund. The company affirmed that the issue was isolated to specific lots and that all other products were safe to consume.
How to Check for Recalled Products
- Check the product type: The recall primarily affected Dark Almond Sea Salt (180g and 90g) and Everything (180g) bars.
- Verify the lot codes: Specific lot codes, found on the packaging, were identified. For instance, some Dark Almond Sea Salt 180g bars had lot numbers like 164152, 162729, and 163060.
- Note the best-by dates: Certain best-by dates were also tied to the affected batches. For example, some Dark Almond Sea Salt bars with best-by dates in late February and early April 2026 were recalled.
- Return for refund: If you have a matching product, do not consume it. Instead, return it to the point of purchase for a refund or replacement.
The Heavy Metal Debate: Cadmium and Lead
Beyond the specific recall, a more long-standing concern for dark chocolate products, including Tony's, involves the presence of heavy metals like cadmium and lead. In a 2022 report by Consumer Reports, several dark chocolate bars were found to contain measurable levels of these metals, including Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate 70%. While these metals occur naturally in soil and are absorbed by cocoa plants, their presence raises questions about health and safety.
Tony's Chocolonely has addressed these concerns directly. The company explains that it regularly tests its ingredients and ensures all products are within the safety standards set by regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the FDA. Tony's noted that the Consumer Reports study used California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) guidelines, which are not food safety standards, but rather maximum allowable dose levels. In a 2024 test by the German consumer organization ÖkoTest, Tony's chocolate received a "Good" rating based on stricter European food safety guidelines, further supporting its safety claims.
Ethical Concerns vs. Physical Safety
It is important to distinguish between the physical safety of consuming the product and the ethical practices behind its production. Tony's Chocolonely was founded to combat exploitation in the cocoa industry, yet faces ongoing scrutiny.
A Comparison of Safety and Ethical Dimensions
| Aspect | Physical Safety Concerns | Ethical Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Issue | Contamination with foreign objects (stones), naturally occurring heavy metals (lead, cadmium), and allergen cross-contamination. | Widespread child labor and forced labor within the cocoa industry supply chains, including some of Tony's own. |
| Company Response | Proactive recalls for contaminated batches; regular testing to ensure compliance with food safety regulations; transparent labeling for allergens. | Commitment to paying a Living Income Reference Price to farmers; 100% traceable cocoa beans; establishment of Tony's Open Chain to invite other companies to adopt their principles. |
| Regulatory Standard | Governed by food safety authorities like the FDA and EFSA, which set legal limits on contaminants and ensure labeling accuracy. | Monitored by ethical certifiers like Fairtrade and scrutinized by watchdog organizations like Slave Free Chocolate, though standards and enforcement vary. |
| Consumer Action | Check product labels and lot codes for recall notices; return affected products; follow official safety alerts. | Support the company's ethical mission while demanding continued transparency and accountability; engage with broader issues of cocoa industry reform. |
| Overall Assessment | Generally safe, but with isolated incidents of physical contamination prompting rapid corrective action. | Committed to ethical change, but still operates within an industry plagued by systemic issues; progress is ongoing, not fully resolved. |
The Traceability of Tony's Chocolonely
Tony's uses a traceable supply chain and partners directly with cocoa cooperatives in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to achieve its ethical goals. The company's "BeanTracker" system provides 100% transparency from the farm to the processing facility. While this model helps Tony's identify and address issues, it does not make the company immune to the industry's broader problems, including illegal child labor. The brand's use of a mass-balance system with its larger partner, Barry Callebaut, also contributed to its temporary removal from the Slave Free Chocolate list. However, Tony's continues to work towards reform from within, proving its scalable model can have a larger impact.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice
So, is Tony's Chocolonely safe to eat? From a strict food safety perspective, yes, it is generally safe, with the company taking prompt action to address specific, isolated product recall incidents. Tony's also asserts its compliance with regulatory limits for naturally occurring heavy metals, supported by tests from accredited European bodies. The presence of heavy metals in dark chocolate is a known, industry-wide issue, not exclusive to Tony's.
However, the ethical considerations are more complex. While Tony's is dedicated to combating child and forced labor, it operates within an imperfect system. The company's model of transparency and paying a premium to farmers addresses the root causes of exploitation, and consumers supporting the brand are part of a movement to drive industry-wide change. Ultimately, a consumer's decision to buy Tony's depends on weighing these factors—confidence in the company's food safety protocols and its dedicated, though still-in-progress, ethical mission.
Additional Resources
For more information on Tony's ethical sourcing and supply chain initiatives, visit the company's website [tonyschocolonely.com/pages/our-promise].
