State health officials are warning about a recall for certain hot cocoa gift sets sold under the "G&J" brand.
FDA testing of cocoa included in the gift sets found traces of melamine, an industrial chemical that can cause kidney damage. Donna Gilson with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says the sets were sold at Big Lots and Shopko stores, although it's unknown if any were sold at Wisconsin locations.
The specific products included in the recall are a Hot Cocoa Stuffer (bar code number 061361201444), sold in small green and blue packages along with a candy cane and marshmallows, His and Hers Hot Cocoa Set (bar code number 489702201296), sold with two ceramic mugs in a brown box, and cocoa (bar code number 061361201260), sold in two flavors; French vanilla, sold in a small green bag, and double chocolate, sold in a small pink bag.
The recall is one of several that have been issued this year due to melamine contamination. The chemical has been found in several Chinese-made powdered dairy products since earlier this year. The chemical can boost protein levels in dairy products, but can cause severa kidney damage for infants and possibly adults.
Gilson says there have been no cases in Wisconsin of anyone getting sick due to melamine contamination.
