A new candy recall is worth a quick pantry check before lunch-box packing, movie nights or back-to-school snack shopping. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says Hershey’s brand Kisses - Creamy Milk Chocolate is being recalled nationally because some packages may contain almonds that are not declared on the label. The alert was originally published August 1, 2026, and is listed as a Class 1 food recall warning, the highest recall class used when there is a reasonable probability that eating the food could cause serious health consequences for people at risk. For most shoppers, this is not a reason to panic; it is a reason to check the exact bag, size, UPC, code and best-before date before serving or sharing chocolate with anyone who has a tree-nut allergy or sensitivity.
The affected products named by the recall are Hershey’s Kisses - Creamy Milk Chocolate in two package sizes. The 104 g bag has UPC 0 56600 62076 6 and a best-before date of 2027 JN 01, with multiple codes including 51GXPB160F, 51GXPB160G, 51GXPB161L, 51GXPB260F, 51GXPB260G, 51GXPB357G, 51GXPB360G, 51GXPB361L, 51HXPB161L and 51HXPB261L. The 200 g bag has UPC 0 56600 20203 0 and the same best-before date, 2027 JN 01, with codes including 51GXPT158M, 51GXPT162D, 51GXPT258M, 51GXPT262C, 51GXPT262D, 51GXPT358K, 51GXPT358M, 51GXPT358N, 51GXPT362C, 51GXPT362D, 51GXPV157B, 51HXPT162D, 51HXPV157B and 51HXPY157B. If your package does not match the recalled product details, the alert does not identify it as part of this recall.
The practical step is simple: turn the bag over and compare all identifiers, not just the brand name. Candy is often bought on sale, split into smaller containers, poured into jars or used for baking, which can separate the product from the original label. If you have an affected bag and anyone in your home, classroom, office or gathering is allergic or sensitive to almonds or tree nuts, do not consume it. CFIA’s advice is to not serve, use, sell or distribute recalled products and to throw them out or return them to the place of purchase. If you already poured Kisses into a candy dish, treat the dish as uncertain unless you can confidently match the original package.
This recall is also a reminder that allergen label checks matter most on familiar products. Many shoppers assume a milk-chocolate candy they have bought before is unchanged, but undeclared allergens can appear because of packaging, production or distribution issues. CFIA’s consumer guidance on food allergies and allergen labelling tells shoppers to read labels before buying, even for foods purchased regularly, and to look for allergen information, ingredient lists and precautionary statements. That habit is especially useful during seasonal shopping periods when candy moves quickly through homes: summer road trips, birthdays, cottage weekends, Halloween planning and back-to-school treat drawers all create more chances for a recalled product to be shared without the package nearby.
For budget-minded shoppers, the best takeaway is not to throw away every Hershey product in the cupboard. Narrow the check to the specific Kisses - Creamy Milk Chocolate recall details, then decide whether to return the matching product. Keep the recall page open on your phone when checking the UPC and code, because the code list is long and similar-looking. If you shop for a household with allergies, consider keeping candy in its original bag until it is served, writing the purchase date on opened packages, and avoiding mixed candy bowls where one recalled or mislabelled item can make the whole bowl risky. If you are building party favour bags, school treats or a baking stash, keep one empty outer package until all pieces are used so the UPC and lot code remain available. When returning a recalled item, bring the package or a clear photo of the label and receipt if you have it, but do not skip the safety step just because the receipt is gone. These small habits reduce waste while making it easier to act quickly when a recall is posted.
The CFIA says this recall was triggered by the company, that there has been one reported reaction associated with the affected products, and that the agency is conducting a food safety investigation that may lead to other products being recalled. CFIA is also verifying that industry removes recalled products from the marketplace. Shoppers who want ongoing alerts can use the federal recalls site rather than relying on social posts or word of mouth. If you believe a food label or safety issue made someone sick, use CFIA’s public reporting options and seek medical advice for urgent allergy symptoms. For everyone else, a two-minute label check today can prevent a much bigger problem when candy gets packed into lunches, shared at work or set out for guests.
Source trail: - Canadian Food Inspection Agency / Government of Canada, “Hershey’s brand Kisses - Creamy Milk Chocolate recalled due to undeclared almond”: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/hershey-s-brand-kisses-creamy-milk-chocolate-recalled-due-undeclared-almond - Canadian Food Inspection Agency, “Before you shop: food allergies and allergen labelling”: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/consumers/food-allergies - Government of Canada, “Find recalls, advisories and safety alerts”: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en