Hostess Recalls Best-Selling Snack Cake
Hostess, known for its popular Twinkies, Cup Cakes, HoHos, Donettes, and other beloved sweets, has issued a recall on one of its more popular snack cake items that has been distributed across the U.S. Time to check the pantry for this recalled product.
The Recalled Product: Hostess Ding Dongs
Ding Dongs are one of Hostess’ most beloved products. These chocolate mini cakes filled with fluffy white cream and covered in fudgy icing are a childhood staple. The product has been on the market since 1967, except for a brief period in 2013.
J.M. Smucker Co. Issues the Recall
J.M. Smucker Co., which acquired the Hostess company in 2023 in a $5.6 billion deal, initiated a recall on Hostess Ding Dongs on August 21, 2025. The withdrawal notice claimed the potential presence of mold on certain Ding Dongs manufactured by the J.M. Smucker Co.
What is a Market Withdrawal?
A market withdrawal occurs when a manufacturer voluntarily removes a product from the market. Most often market withdrawals are due to issues such as quality concerns, equipment repairs, or minor health risks.
Why Were Ding Dongs Recalled?
In this case, Ding Dongs were recalled due to the potential presence of mold. The J.M. Smucker Co. explained in a statement that an error in the manufacturing process may have created “conditions that could support the development of mold in the product prior to the expiration date”. The issue was quickly identified and the company was able to minimize the amount of product impacted by the manufacturing error.
Which Ding Dongs Were Impacted?
The 2-count Hostess Chocolate Ding Dong, 10-count Chocolate Ding Dong, and 16-count Chocolate Ding Dong Family Packs were impacted by the recall. The UPC, or Universal Product Code, is a unique 12-digit barcode assigned to each product. The following UPCs were impacted by the recall: UPC 8-88109-01002 UPC 8-88109-11061 UPC 8-88109-11092
How to Tell Which Ding Dongs are Affected
If you have some of these snack cakes at home in the pantry, take a look at the UPC and best-by dates. The recalled cakes have best-by dates of August 30, 2025 through September 3, 2025.
What to do With Recalled Items
If you have purchased Ding Dongs that call under the recall you can either return the item to the store you purchased them for a full refund or replacement. Alternatively, you can simply dispose of the Ding Dongs.
The Danger of Mold
While market withdrawal is usually a precautionary measure, it is important to be careful when it comes to mold. Mold can lead to various health issues, including allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues. Some people with preexisting health problems may experience more extreme reactions.
Questions or Concerns
J.M. Smucker Co. reacted quickly to the potential mold risk and alerted the public as soon as possible. The batch of impacted snack cakes was small. If any customer has any questions or concerns regarding the recall they can reach Hostess at 1-800-483-7253.
