UNITED STATES — Consumers who regularly buy Horizon Organic chocolate milk are being urged to check their products after the company recalled more than 53,000 cases because of a packaging problem that could cause the milk to spoil prematurely.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed Monday, Aug. 31, that Horizon Organic Dairy, LLC initiated the voluntary recall on Aug. 7.
The recall involves Horizon Organic Aseptic Chocolate Milk 1%, with a total of 53,760 cases affected. According to the company, the issue involves the packaging seal rather than contamination of the milk itself.
Packaging Problem Could Cause Milk to Spoil
Horizon Organic Dairy’s head of quality and food safety, Kendra Harrison, said the recall was not initiated because of allergens, pathogens or microorganisms.
Instead, a problem with the seal could allow the packaging to become compromised.
“This (seal) issue may cause the product packaging to appear bloated or be prone to leakage, and the contents may be subject to premature spoilage,” Harrison said.
The company said it began receiving complaints from consumers who noticed that some packages appeared bloated and that the contents could develop an unpleasant taste, odor or texture.
While the issue is related to packaging, consumers are still being advised not to drink products covered by the recall.
53,760 Cases Included in Recall
The recalled products were distributed in two different case configurations. Horizon recalled 34,524 cases containing 12 cartons each and 19,236 cases containing 18 cartons each. The total number of recalled cases is 53,760.
Consumers can identify the affected products using the UPC codes. The 12-count cases have UPC 742365002700, while the 18-count cases carry UPC 742365208867.
The recalled 12-count products have best-by dates of Jan. 28, Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, 2027. The affected 18-count cases have best-by dates of Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, 2027.
Consumers should carefully compare the product in their possession with these details before consuming it.
Customers Told Not to Drink Recalled Milk
Anyone who has purchased one of the affected products should not consume the milk. Horizon is directing customers to contact its customer relations team to receive a refund.
The company explained that the recall was initiated after consumer complaints involving packaging that appeared bloated and products that could be subject to premature spoilage.
Consumers who notice unusual packaging, including swelling or leakage, should take the warning seriously rather than relying on appearance or taste to determine whether the product is safe.
The recall is particularly important because the products are shelf-stable before opening, meaning some consumers may have stored them in their pantry rather than immediately placing them in the refrigerator.
Horizon Faced Another Chocolate Milk Recall
The latest recall is not the first time Horizon Organic has recalled chocolate milk this year. In May, the company voluntarily recalled 3,522 cases of Organic Milk 1% DHA Chocolate.
That earlier recall involved products distributed to Arizona, California, Nevada and Oregon. The affected products had best-by dates of Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, 2026, and carried UPC 742365004322.
Those cases contained 18 eight-fluid-ounce cartons each, arranged in three six-carton packs.
The FDA’s enforcement report listed those products as shelf-stable before opening and requiring refrigeration after being opened.
What Consumers Should Do Now
For anyone who regularly purchases Horizon Organic chocolate milk, the current recall is a reminder to check the UPC code and best-by date before consuming the product.
If the product matches the recalled information, consumers should not drink it and should contact Horizon for information about obtaining a refund.
The company maintains that the current recall is connected to a packaging seal problem rather than contamination, but the possibility of premature spoilage means affected products should still be discarded or handled according to the company’s recall instructions.
With tens of thousands of cases involved, consumers across the country may want to check their refrigerators, pantries and recently purchased groceries to make sure they do not have an affected product.
Do you have Horizon chocolate milk at home? Check the packaging and let us know in the comments if you found a recalled product.