Warning: People In Minnesota, Wisconsin Should Check Their Ding Dongs

Food recalls are common in the United States, with hundreds issued annually by the FDA and USDA alone. The major causes include pathogen contamination (like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli) and undeclared allergens.

This week, a new recall was issued involving a popular Hostess snack cake due to the possibility that specific packages could be contaminated with mold.

Mold contamination in food is dangerous because molds can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, or be poisonous due to mycotoxins. Furthermore, you cannot see the full extent of mold growth, as its "root" threads can penetrate deeply into food, so simply cutting off the moldy part does not make the rest safe to eat.

Nationwide Ding Dong Recall Has Been Issued

J.M. Smucker Co., the parent company of Hostess, has issued a recall for select lots of the Hostess Chocolate Ding Dong Single Serve, the Hostess Chocolate Ding Dong, and the Hostess Chocolate Ding Dong Family Pack.

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The reason for the recall is that these products have the potential to be contaminated with mold, according to food distributor and grocery operator SpartanNash, which has locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Here are the specific Ding Dong packages that have been recalled:

•  Single-serve packs were labeled with the UPC code 8-88109-01002. The listed “Best By” date is August 30, August 31, September 1, September 2, or September 3.
• The 10-count packs were labeled with UPC code 8-88109-11061. The listed “Best By” date is August 30, August 31, September 1, September 2, or September 3.
• Family packs were labeled with UPC code 8-88109-11092. The listed “Best By” date is August 30, August 31, September 1, September 2, or September 3.

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Anyone who has an affected product is advised not to eat it. It's also worth reiterating that simply removing mold from any food does not make the rest of it safe to eat.

Return all affected products to the point of purchase for a refund or replacement. Distributors of the affected product are advised to complete the company’s product destruction form and destroy any impacted items.