Popular yogurt recalled over choking hazard

Technology has advanced to a point we never imagined it would reach in our lifetimes. This makes us feel relatively trusting of it.

Yet despite all the testing and safety protocols in large food production facilities, mistakes can sometimes happen, threatening people’s health.

💵💰Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 💰💵

Recently, Kraft Heinz, the maker of Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and Oscar Mayer, initiated a recall of around 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon that might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a type of bacteria that can even be deadly for older people and those with weakened immune systems.

According to Food Safety Net Services, there were 296 total recalls in 2024, and 1,392 people got sick from recalled food. Hospitalizations increased from 230 in 2023 to 487 last year, and deaths grew from eight in 2023 to 19 in 2024.

The most common reasons for food recalls include contamination with disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites; the presence of foreign objects like pieces of glass, metal, or plastic; and failure to list a major allergen in the food on the label.

Now a famous dairy giant has issued a recall of a popular yogurt over a potential choking hazard.

YoCrunch, a popular brand of yogurt with crunchy mix-in toppings, has been recalled.

Image source: PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock

Danone recalls YoCrunch products over the potential presence of plastic pieces

The French dairy giant Danone (GPDNF) announced Monday that it is recalling YoCrunch products sold at retail stores nationwide due to the potential presence of plastic pieces in the dome topper.

YoCrunch is a popular brand of yogurt with crunchy mix-in toppings such as granola, M&Ms chocolate candies, Oreo cookie pieces, Nestle Crunch candy, Reese’s pieces candy, and Butterfinger candy.

Plastic pieces in the products under recall are isolated in separately packaged toppers, and shouldn’t be found directly in the packaged yogurt. If consumed, the plastic pieces could potentially cause a choking response, Danone said in the press release.

The recall, conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), applies to all flavors and sizes of YoCrunch products.

The company revealed that consumers have reported the presence of plastic pieces that are transparent, may have sharp edges, and could present a risk to consumers due to their length of between 7 and 25 mm.

More on Food and Retail:

With its retail partners, Danone is acting quickly to remove the impacted products from shelves and bring back the popular yogurts to its customers.

Odds of dying from choking on food higher than chance of losing life in a plane crash

Danone is an internationally popular company known for several household staple brands that are widely popular, such as Activia, Oikos, and Silk.

Its products are sold in more than 120 countries worldwide, and in France, the brand is so popular that 93% of residents have at least one Danone product in their fridge.

The company stresses that it takes every consumer's experience seriously.

Those who have already purchased YoCrunch products are advised not to consume them. They can obtain information on refunds by contacting the consumer care line at 1-877-344-4886 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

In the United States, the chances of dying from choking on food are one in 2,461, which suggests it's more likely than dying as a passenger on a plane.

Death from choking is more common among older people, with food most often the culprit. In addition, young children tend to be at elevated risk of choking not only on food, but also on small objects, such as toys with small parts.

When a person is choking, experts advise performing the Heimlich Maneuver to help dislodge objects. Health care professionals generally consider the maneuver a safe and fast procedure to save lives, writes the Cleveland Clinic.