Reply from Pastry DepotFeb 11, 2026
Hello Liz - We appreciate your order and are taking your feedback into account when reviewing our disclaimer verbiage. As previously explained, in conjunction with this purchase not being covered under the chocolate shipping disclaimer, the reason we cannot offer a refund or replacement is because we were contacted 10 days after you received your package.
The delivery confirmation email, packing slip, and box labeling all state damage or concerns must be brought to our attention within 24 hours. This is because we have no control over how product is handled or held after delivery and cannot be held responsible for improper storage conditions or handling. For example, chocolate may unintentionally be stored at a temperature above 70F with heat running during very cold weather, which could result in bloom and/or melting and is out of our control. Unfortunately, since so much time has passed between when your order was delivered and you reaching out to us, your order was no longer eligible for refund or replacement. We have sold over 100 bags of this product since the beginning of the year and no one else has reported issues, so it stands to reason the bloom happened after the product left our facility.
Bloom does not prevent the product from being used nor does it impact the quality of the product once re-tempered or used in a non-tempered application. Please note Barry Callebaut lists their Best by Date in European format, meaning the Best By Date on your chocolate is actually September 3, 2026 with over six months of shelf life. Once products come within 90 days of their Best By Date, we note that in red on the product page so customers are aware of the short date when ordering. On the positive side, it's also important to mention that best by dates are not the same as expiration dates, so the product is still perfectly safe and good to use after the BBD as long as it is held properly.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or we can assist you with anything else!
