The US Foods and Drug Administration has recalled chocolate fudge sold in 41 states due to mold contamination. According to the health regulatory body, the product affected is the Montreal Fudge brand Chocolate Fudge with Nuts sold in 5.6-ounce packages.

The recalled fudge was sold in T.J. Maxx locations in:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

They were also sold in Marshall locations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.

According to federal health authorities, the products were recalled after a consumer complaint of mold pieces found in the fudge, leading to an investigation that discovered a larger contamination. Even though the recall was announced in August, it was recently classified as a Class II recall by the FDA – which means that exposure to the potentially contaminated fudge may lead to serious health issues.

According to experts, mold exposure can lead to allergy due to the formation of mycotoxins, a poisonous substance, in which your immune system overreacts when you breathe. A mold allergy causes coughing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mold allergy is also linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.

A few symptoms of mold exposure include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough and postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Dry, scaly skin

According to doctors, the symptoms of mold allergy vary from one person to another and range from mild to severe. You might notice symptoms when the weather is damp or when you are in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold.

Experts say, that if after eating the recalled fudge you get any of the symptoms, dispose of the product immediately or return it to your place of purchase for a full refund. After disposing of the product, clean any surfaces or objects that may have been in contact with the contaminated food.

Several factors can make you more likely to develop a mold allergy or worsen your mold allergy symptoms, which include:

If there is an issue of allergies and asthma in your family, you are more likely to develop a mold allergy.

Occupations, where mold exposure is high, include farming, dairy work, logging, baking, millwork, carpentry, greenhouse work, winemaking, and furniture repair.

Having high humidity in your house can lead to a more than 50 per cent increase in mold in your home.

Sealed doors and windows trap moisture indoors and prevent proper ventilation - creating ideal conditions for mold growth.

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