Montana parents, add one more thing to the never ending list of things we're apparently supposed to keep track of: the tiny chocolate milk cartons hiding in the pantry.
If you pack Horizon Organic chocolate milk in your child’s lunch, grab one of those boxes and check the code before it goes into the lunchbox. Horizon Organic has recalled certain cartons of its shelf stable 1% chocolate milk because the milk could spoil before the date printed on the package.
The recall involves more than 50,000 cases shipped to grocery stores nationwide. The affected product is also listed in the FDA enforcement database. That means those of us in Montana should not assume our milk is fine just because we bought it locally.
According to the official Horizon recall announcement, the company received complaints about cartons that appeared bloated and milk that tasted, smelled, or looked unusual.
Nobody wants their child discovering spoiled chocolate milk halfway through lunch. That's the kind of phone call from school we can all happily live without.
Which Horizon Chocolate Milk Cartons Are Recalled?
Before you start tossing every box of chocolate milk in the house, the recall only applies to certain 8 ounce cartons of Horizon Organic shelf stable 1% chocolate milk.
According to Horizon’s official recall information, Montana parents should look for the following packages:
- The 12 pack with UPC 742365002700 and Best By dates of January 28, January 30, January 31, February 1, February 2, or February 3, 2027
- The 18 pack with UPC 742365208867 and Best By dates of January 31, February 1, or February 2, 2027
You can also find the recalled product information in the FDA’s official recall listing.
These are the little boxes that can sit in the pantry until you need them. You know the ones. They get tossed into lunchboxes, diaper bags, backpacks, and the car because somebody is always suddenly starving five minutes after leaving the house.
Why Was Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk Recalled?
People reported cartons that looked swollen or bloated, along with milk that had spoiled early. Some said the milk had an unusual smell, taste, appearance, or texture.
In other words, if you open one and immediately wonder whether chocolate milk is supposed to look or smell like that, the answer is no.
Horizon is investigating what caused the packaging problem, but the company has not announced a specific cause. Updates on the investigation are available on the company’s chocolate milk recall page.
What Should Montana Parents Do With Recalled Milk?
If the UPC and Best By date on your chocolate milk match the recall information, do not give it to your child. Do not taste it to see if it is still good, either. This is not the time to be brave. Throw it away and save your receipt or part of the packaging if you still have it.
Horizon says customers can call 1-888-494-3020 to ask about a refund. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Central Time. Additional instructions are available in the company’s recall notice.
As a parent, I know there are already about 9,000 things competing for space in your brain on any given day. Thankfully, this one is easy. Check the UPC, check the date, and toss any cartons that match. It takes less than a minute and could prevent a really unpleasant lunchtime surprise.
The Five Largest Food Recalls in History That Shocked Americans
Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor
25 Amazon Items Sold in Montana That Have Been Recalled
Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor