
Major Recall of YoCrunch Yogurt Due to Plastic Shards
A significant recall has been initiated for a popular line of yogurt cups, with concerns over the presence of sharp plastic fragments. The affected products are part of the YoCrunch brand, produced by Danone, and have been removed from shelves across the country. This recall involves all 17 flavors and sizes of YoCrunch, which include various toppings such as granola, cookie dough, Oreo, M&M, Snickers, and Twix pieces.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered the plastic shards in the toppers of these products and issued a warning that they could pose a choking hazard or potentially cause severe injury if ingested. The plastic pieces are described as transparent, possibly with sharp edges, and ranging from 0.2 inches to one inch in size—some as large as a quarter. While no injuries or hospitalizations have been reported so far, several customers have contacted the FDA regarding the issue.
Danone stated that the recall affects all YoCrunch products currently on store shelves. These products were manufactured between May and early June and have a sell-by date set for this September. The company launched the recall on July 11, noting that the products are sold in major retail chains including Walmart, Target, Dollar General, and Wegmans.
Consumers who have these products at home are advised not to consume them and to dispose of them immediately. They can reach out to the YoCrunch team for a refund. Those who suspect any health issues after consuming the product are urged to seek immediate medical attention.
The FDA emphasized that the plastic fragments present a potential choking hazard, prompting the agency to take immediate action to remove all affected products from store shelves. Danone attributed the issue to a packaging error, where the plastic found in the topping pots matched the material used in the packaging. The YoCrunch yogurts are heat-sealed at facilities in White Plains, New York, and Louisville, Colorado.
Customers are encouraged to check lot codes and expiration dates on YoCrunch products and contact the customer service hotline at 1-877-344-4886 for refunds or replacements. A full list of the recalled products is available on the FDA's website, which includes 6oz yogurt pots of strawberry and vanilla flavored yogurts with various toppings and four packs of 4oz yogurts with different toppings.
The FDA classified this recall as Class II, indicating that the product could cause temporary or reversible health consequences. Although the plastic was limited to the toppers, the company decided to recall all variations of the product. Danone emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of its products before they return to store shelves.
Danone North America, the parent company of both International Delight coffee creamer and YoCrunch yogurt brands, has faced multiple product recalls in recent months. Earlier this year, the company voluntarily recalled more than 75,000 bottles of International Delight coffee creamers due to consumer reports of spoilage and illness. This recall marked the third major incident involving dangerous foreign objects in packaged food this month.
In June, Totally Cool Inc recalled over two dozen ice cream products, including brands like Friendly's, Hershey's, and Chipwich, after discovering plastic and metal fragments inside the tubs. In May, Fresh Farms Inc announced a recall of packaged salads following the discovery of metal fragments in some products.
Industry experts suggest that the recent increase in recalls reflects challenges in the supply chain during the pandemic and the rapid adoption of automation, which sometimes outpaces quality control improvements. A June 2025 report from the Institute of Food Technologists noted a 15 percent increase in incidents involving plastic fragments in processed foods over the past three years, often linked to packaging equipment malfunctions or material defects.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in six Americans contracts a foodborne illness each year, resulting in about 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
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