The FDA is alerting consumers to possible hepatitis A contamination of Bauer’s Candies Modjeskas, an individually wrapped marshmallow candy dipped in chocolate or caramel. The agency is advising consumers not to eat and to throw away any Bauer’s Candies Chocolate or Caramel Modjeskas, purchased after November 14 because a worker in the facility tested positive for hepatitis A.
These products are available at retail locations and can also be purchased through QVC and BauersCandy.com. The FDA is currently working with Kentucky-based Bauer’s Candies on a voluntary recall of affected products. At this time neither the FDA nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are aware of any cases of hepatitis A related to consumption of these candies.
Hepatitis A can have a long incubation period and serious health consequences for some people, especially those with other health problems. Although the risk of hepatitis A transmission from the candy is low, the FDA is recommending that consumers who ate candies purchased after November 14, 2018 and have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with HAV. When symptoms occur, they can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter — even in microscopic amounts — from an infected person; this can happen when an infected person prepares food without appropriate hand hygiene, even before that person shows symptoms of illness.
