Yogurt Recall Update As FDA Sets Risk Level Over Plastic Contamination

Greek yogurt has been given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s second highest risk level after it was recalled over the possible presence of foreign objects.

Wellsley Farms non-fat Greek yogurt, in plain and vanilla flavors, was voluntarily recalled on December 11, 2024, because it may contain plastic.

On Monday, January 13, the FDA gave the ongoing recall a Class II rating, which means: “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

The impacted yogurts were sold in 40oz pots with the product code “888670048085” for the plain yogurt and “888670048078” for vanilla.

They had best-by dates of December 4, 11, 18 and 25, and January 1, 8 and 15.

Nearly 16,000 cases of each flavor yogurt were recalled, having been distributed to Maryland, Connecticut and Kentucky.

Wellsley Farms is based in Seattle, Washington, but the recalling firm listed by FDA documentation is HP Hood, based in Vernon, New York.

Newsweek has attempted to contact Wellsley Farms for comment via email, outside of normal business hours.

Ingested plastic usually leaves the body within a day, but tiny particles of micro and nanoplastics can enter the bloodstream, travel to different organs in the body and disrupt the function of cells, increasing the risk of cancers.

Plastics can also release harmful chemicals, called endocrine disruptors, that can interfere with hormones and increase the risk of metabolic disorders, fertility problems and certain cancers.

Small pieces of plastic could also be a choking hazard, damage the digestive tract when swallowed or damage teeth when chewed.

This recall is one of many that have recently been called over the risk of plastic contamination.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a public health alert on January 5 over concerns that frozen, raw ground beef products had been contaminated with hard plastic, metal and other materials.

On December 13, the FDA announced a recall of “Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Pizza,” given a Class II risk level, due to the possible presence of plastic contaminants.

Teresa Murray, the consumer watchdog director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, previously told Newsweek: “Consider shopping only at stores that have a good recall notification policy.

“This is especially important if you buy products that are frequently recalled such as produce, or if there are people in your home with severe allergies, or children, pregnant women, elderly people or anyone who is immunocompromised, who are most likely to get really sick from foodborne contamination.”

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