Popular yoghurt recall puts families on alert after children fall ill
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If you or your loved ones have been reaching for Cocobella coconut yoghurt as a safe, dairy-free treat, it may be time to take a second look in your fridge.
A sudden recall has caught many families off guard, leaving some households shaken and even sending children to the hospital.
The trusted 'dairy-free' label on Cocobella’s coconut yoghurt products was meant to offer peace of mind to those with milk allergies or intolerances.
But last week, that trust was shattered when Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued a recall for all Cocobella coconut yoghurt products, across every flavour and size, due to undeclared milk contamination.
For many, the recall came too late. Victorian dad Nate (who asked to go by his nickname) experienced every parent’s nightmare when his two-year-old son suffered a severe allergic reaction just seconds after eating a Cocobella banana yoghurt pouch.
What started as a normal afternoon snack quickly turned into a race against time: coughing, swelling, hives, and a terrifying struggle to breathe.
Nate and his wife rushed their son to the hospital, where doctors treated him for anaphylaxis—a life-threatening reaction.
'It was honestly the most traumatic experience of my wife’s and my lives,' Nate shared.
'At that point, my wife says that she honestly thought that we were about to lose him.'
Despite being dismissed at first by hospital staff—who couldn’t believe a 'dairy-free' yoghurt could be the culprit—Nate persisted.
His determination led to the first official report to the health department, and, ultimately, the recall that may have saved other lives.
Nate’s family wasn’t alone. Melbourne mum Grace Kolo’s one-year-old son, who is allergic to dairy and egg, also suffered a frightening reaction after eating Cocobella yoghurt.
What began as sneezing and skin rashes escalated to coughing, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath.
Even paramedics didn’t suspect the yoghurt at first, and it wasn’t until friends sent her the recall alert that the pieces fell into place.
'I couldn’t believe it,' Grace said. 'We had no idea what was going on.'
She now suspects the yoghurt may have caused her son’s ongoing skin flare-ups in the days before the incident.
'Really disappointed that we’ve put trust in them, and this is what’s happened,' she said.
It’s not just children who have been affected. Billy Jacobs, a 40-year-old Melburnian living with a severe medical condition, relied on Cocobella yoghurts as one of the few foods he could safely eat.
Instead, he found himself sicker than ever, with stomach pain, breathing problems, and headaches.
'I was already suffering, and this just made it 100 times worse,' he said.
A NSW naturopath, who is dairy intolerant, also reported nerve pain, brain fog, and what felt like a concussion after eating Cocobella’s vanilla yoghurt.
'Normally I’d need a lot more dairy to create a reaction like that,' she said, raising questions about the level of contamination.
Cocobella has said that while most product lines tested negative for milk, they decided to recall all coconut yoghurt products as a precaution while investigations continue.
The company has received at least 10 reports of hospital admissions linked to the contamination and has apologised unreservedly, encouraging anyone affected to contact them directly.
'We recognise the trust our customers place in us for their dietary and health choices. We are determined to understand how this issue occurred so we can ensure it cannot happen again,' Cocobella said in a statement.
If you or someone in your family has a milk allergy or intolerance and has consumed Cocobella coconut yoghurt recently, check the recall notices and your health.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, and digestive issues.
If you experience any of these, seek medical attention immediately.
You can return any recalled Cocobella products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
If you’ve been affected, contact Cocobella directly to report your experience and discuss compensation for medical costs.
This incident is a sobering reminder of how important accurate food labelling and prompt recalls are—especially for those with allergies.
For many families, products like Cocobella’s coconut yoghurt are more than just a snack; they’re a lifeline in a world full of hidden dangers.
Have you or someone you know been affected by the Cocobella recall? Do you have tips for managing food allergies or thoughts on how companies can do better? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.
Read more: Urgent yoghurt recall! Here’s what every shopper needs to check right now
A sudden recall has caught many families off guard, leaving some households shaken and even sending children to the hospital.
The trusted 'dairy-free' label on Cocobella’s coconut yoghurt products was meant to offer peace of mind to those with milk allergies or intolerances.
But last week, that trust was shattered when Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued a recall for all Cocobella coconut yoghurt products, across every flavour and size, due to undeclared milk contamination.
Children and adults with dairy allergies suffered severe reactions after eating Cocobella coconut yoghurts, which were later recalled for undeclared milk. Credit: Cocobella
For many, the recall came too late. Victorian dad Nate (who asked to go by his nickname) experienced every parent’s nightmare when his two-year-old son suffered a severe allergic reaction just seconds after eating a Cocobella banana yoghurt pouch.
What started as a normal afternoon snack quickly turned into a race against time: coughing, swelling, hives, and a terrifying struggle to breathe.
Nate and his wife rushed their son to the hospital, where doctors treated him for anaphylaxis—a life-threatening reaction.
'It was honestly the most traumatic experience of my wife’s and my lives,' Nate shared.
'At that point, my wife says that she honestly thought that we were about to lose him.'
Despite being dismissed at first by hospital staff—who couldn’t believe a 'dairy-free' yoghurt could be the culprit—Nate persisted.
His determination led to the first official report to the health department, and, ultimately, the recall that may have saved other lives.
Nate’s family wasn’t alone. Melbourne mum Grace Kolo’s one-year-old son, who is allergic to dairy and egg, also suffered a frightening reaction after eating Cocobella yoghurt.
What began as sneezing and skin rashes escalated to coughing, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath.
'I couldn’t believe it,' Grace said. 'We had no idea what was going on.'
She now suspects the yoghurt may have caused her son’s ongoing skin flare-ups in the days before the incident.
'Really disappointed that we’ve put trust in them, and this is what’s happened,' she said.
It’s not just children who have been affected. Billy Jacobs, a 40-year-old Melburnian living with a severe medical condition, relied on Cocobella yoghurts as one of the few foods he could safely eat.
Instead, he found himself sicker than ever, with stomach pain, breathing problems, and headaches.
'I was already suffering, and this just made it 100 times worse,' he said.
'Normally I’d need a lot more dairy to create a reaction like that,' she said, raising questions about the level of contamination.
Cocobella has said that while most product lines tested negative for milk, they decided to recall all coconut yoghurt products as a precaution while investigations continue.
The company has received at least 10 reports of hospital admissions linked to the contamination and has apologised unreservedly, encouraging anyone affected to contact them directly.
'We recognise the trust our customers place in us for their dietary and health choices. We are determined to understand how this issue occurred so we can ensure it cannot happen again,' Cocobella said in a statement.
If you or someone in your family has a milk allergy or intolerance and has consumed Cocobella coconut yoghurt recently, check the recall notices and your health.
If you experience any of these, seek medical attention immediately.
You can return any recalled Cocobella products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
If you’ve been affected, contact Cocobella directly to report your experience and discuss compensation for medical costs.
This incident is a sobering reminder of how important accurate food labelling and prompt recalls are—especially for those with allergies.
For many families, products like Cocobella’s coconut yoghurt are more than just a snack; they’re a lifeline in a world full of hidden dangers.
Read more: Urgent yoghurt recall! Here’s what every shopper needs to check right now
