Danone U.S. has announced a voluntary recall of its So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints due to the potential presence of foreign material, according to a notice issued December 15, 2025.
The recall affects products sold at retail stores nationwide with best-by expiration dates before August 8, 2027. The company, which operates from White Plains, New York, and Louisville, Colorado, initiated the recall as a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety.
Foreign material contamination in food products represents a serious safety concern that can pose choking hazards, dental damage, or internal injuries to consumers. The FDA monitors such incidents closely as part of its food safety oversight responsibilities, working with manufacturers to identify and address potential contamination issues before they result in consumer harm.
The So Delicious brand, owned by Danone North America, is a popular dairy-free alternative brand that serves consumers with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or those following plant-based diets. The recalled product is marketed as a non-dairy frozen dessert, targeting health-conscious consumers seeking dairy alternatives without sacrificing taste or texture.
Voluntary recalls like this one demonstrate the food industry's self-policing mechanisms, where companies proactively remove potentially unsafe products from the market upon discovering quality control issues. This approach helps maintain consumer confidence while preventing potential health incidents that could result from contaminated products reaching consumers.
The timing of this recall, announced in mid-December, occurs during a peak period for frozen dessert consumption as consumers stock up for holiday celebrations and winter comfort foods. The recall affects a specific flavor and product line rather than the entire So Delicious product portfolio, suggesting the contamination issue may be isolated to particular production runs or facilities.
Food safety experts emphasize that foreign material contamination can occur at various stages of the manufacturing process, from ingredient sourcing through packaging. Common sources include equipment wear, packaging materials, or environmental factors within production facilities. Companies typically implement multiple quality control checkpoints to detect such issues, but occasional problems can still escape detection until post-production testing or consumer reports identify concerns.
The recall notice specifies products with expiration dates before August 8, 2027, indicating the potentially affected manufacturing window spans a considerable period. This timeframe suggests either an ongoing production issue that required time to identify or a precautionary approach encompassing all products that could potentially be affected by the contamination source.
Consumers who have purchased the affected So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster frozen dessert pints should check their freezers for products with the specified expiration dates. The FDA recommends that consumers dispose of recalled products or return them to the point of purchase for refunds, depending on store policies.
Danone North America has built a significant presence in the plant-based food sector through acquisitions and product development, positioning itself to capitalize on growing consumer interest in dairy alternatives. The company's quick action to recall potentially affected products reflects standard industry practice for maintaining brand reputation and consumer trust in an increasingly competitive market.
The recall underscores the importance of robust quality assurance programs in food manufacturing, particularly for products targeting consumers with dietary restrictions who may have limited alternative options. Companies serving these specialized markets often face additional scrutiny regarding product safety and ingredient integrity.
For consumers affected by this recall, the incident serves as a reminder to regularly check recall notices and verify product expiration dates before consumption. The FDA maintains comprehensive databases of food recalls and safety alerts that consumers can access to stay informed about potential risks to products in their homes.
The frozen dessert industry has experienced various quality control challenges in recent years, from temperature control issues during distribution to contamination concerns at production facilities. These incidents highlight the complex supply chain and manufacturing processes involved in creating shelf-stable frozen products that meet consumer expectations for taste, texture, and safety.
As this recall develops, consumers should monitor official communications from both Danone U.S. and the FDA for additional information about affected product identification, disposal instructions, and any potential health concerns associated with consumption of the recalled items. The company's voluntary approach to addressing this issue demonstrates industry commitment to consumer safety over potential financial losses from product removal.