Hostess Ding Dongs recall 2025 over potential mold contamination

Snack company Hostess has recalled chocolate Ding Dong snacks over concerns of potential mold contamination.

The company said it “initiated a voluntary recall of select lots of Hostess Ding Dongs^® products due to the potential for the presence of mold,” in a statement on its website.

Why It Matters

Mold contamination can lead to many negative health effects, from allergic reactions and gastrointestinal distress to foodborne illnesses.

Those with compromised immune systems, as well as the young and old, are especially at risk from food-based mold contamination.

Hostess Recalls Ding Dongs Snack Cakes and Donuts: What To Know

Hostess recalled one of its most popular products, chocolate Ding Dongs. Other items, which include Twinkies, Ho Hos and Zingers, are not impacted.

J.M. Smucker Co issued the recall on August 20 due to a mold issue during the manufacturing process.

While this issue was said to be temporary in nature and resolved in a “timely manner” by Hostess, shoppers are urged to promptly throw out any potentially impacted items.

Full List of Items Recalled

The following chocolate Ding Dong products were included in the recall:

• Hostess Ding Dong 6 count: 2.55 oz twin packs, carton (15.3 oz)

UPC: Twin packs: 00888109010027 | 6 ct.: 00888109011857

Lot numbers: 5167832, 5168832

• Hostess Ding Dong 10 count: 1.28 oz, carton (12.7 oz.)

UPC: 00888109110611

Lot numbers: 5167832, 5168832, 5169832, 5170832, 5171832

• Hostess Ding Dong 16 count: 1.28 oz, carton (20.31 oz)

UPC: Individual unit: 00888109011826 | 16 ct.: 00888109110925

Lot numbers: 5167832, 5168832, 5169832, 5170832

The best-if-used-by dates span from August 30, 2025, to September 3, and it is not yet clear in which states the products were sold.

What to Do With Recalled Products

Consumers who purchased the affected Ding Dongs should not eat the snacks and instead are urged to return the item to their local store for either a refund or a replacement.

Discarding the item is also fine, but consuming the snacks poses health risks.

What People Are Saying

J.M. Smucker Co. said in its recall: “We are committed to your health and safety, and we follow best practices to ensure the quality and safety of the products we sell. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “In the long run, this likely won’t mean much—plenty of companies have faced manufacturing issues before and moved on. What matters here is timing: it looks like the company caught the problem before anyone got sick. That could actually be a win for them, showing their quality control is working.”

What Happens Next

If you purchased the affected Hostess Ding Dongs, you should return them to the store for a refund or replacement.

Because Hostess identified the problem early, it’s unlikely consumers will shift away from the brand significantly in the coming months, Thompson said.