French Broad Chocolates recalls bonbons over undeclared walnuts in Asheville boxes

Buncombe County shoppers with tree-nut allergies should check their French Broad Chocolates bonbon boxes now. The Asheville chocolatier recalled select Bette’s Bake Sale Bonbon boxes after a labeling mistake left walnuts undeclared, creating a risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions for anyone sensitive to tree nuts.

The recall covers 6-piece, 12-piece and 24-piece boxes, in 2.5-ounce, 5-ounce and 10-ounce sizes, with batch numbers 260414 and 260417. Best-by dates tied to the affected products include June 22, 2026, June 29, 2026 and June 30, 2026. French Broad Chocolates said the boxes were sold in its Asheville retail stores and online, and the products were distributed from April 14 through April 20 to customers in 41 states and Washington, D.C.

The company said it learned of the problem on April 20, when a team member noticed a labeling error in the tasting-notes insert. That insert failed to identify walnuts as a tree-nut allergen and also switched the Walnut Fudge and Peach Cobbler bonbons, a mix-up that could confuse someone trying to avoid nuts. No illnesses had been reported as of the FDA notice.

For shoppers, the fix is straightforward: do not eat any affected box. French Broad Chocolates told customers with tree-nut allergies to return the product for a refund or throw it away. The company’s customer service line is 828.252.4181, and support is available at support@frenchbroadchocolates.com from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

The recall cuts close to one of Asheville’s best-known food brands, one built around local trust as much as flavor. French Broad Chocolates was founded in Asheville in 2006 by Dan Rattigan and Jael Skeffington, opened the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in 2008, expanded in 2009 and opened its bean-to-bar factory in 2012. In 2018, the company moved its factory to Ramp Studios near UNC Asheville, where it says it operates nearly 14,000 square feet of space and can produce nearly 50 tons of chocolate a year. Its stated mission is to make chocolate “sourced with integrity, crafted with intention, and served with gratitude.”