A mother from Illawarra, New South Wales, has expressed her shock and frustration following a wide recall of Cocobella yoghurt, issued one year after her nine-year-old daughter experienced a severe allergic reaction to the product. Ruby Capelo suffered the reaction after consuming just three spoonfuls of Cocobella Mango yoghurt on October 2 of last year.
Ruby’s mother, Sheri Capelo, recounted the harrowing incident to 7NEWS.com.au, stating, “As soon as she put it in her mouth, she just said, ‘Mummy, my mouth is stinging.’” Within minutes, Ruby’s symptoms escalated, with her lips and eyes swelling and welts appearing across her body. The allergic reaction triggered an asthma attack, necessitating the use of an EpiPen and a rushed trip to the hospital. Ruby was subsequently prescribed oral cortisone for two weeks.
Initial Reactions and Lack of Response
The incident left the Capelo family wary of Cocobella products. Sheri Capelo, who is particularly cautious due to her daughter’s severe allergies to milk and nuts, was surprised by the lack of response from Cocobella when she reached out via social media. She received only an automated reply and no further communication from the company.
“First and last time,” Capelo remarked, referring to their experience with Cocobella. Initially believing it to be an isolated incident, she did not report the matter to food authorities but chose to avoid the brand in the future.
Wider Implications and Recall
The recent recall of Cocobella yoghurts, accompanied by numerous similar complaints, has revealed a broader issue. Capelo was startled to learn of other cases, stating, “When I saw that it had happened to other people, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is a big thing — it wasn’t a one-off event.’”
The recall has prompted calls for Cocobella to review its quality control, cross-contamination procedures, and labelling practices. Capelo emphasized the importance of accurate labelling, noting, “When you read a label that says ‘may contain traces’ of certain allergens, you take that risk on yourself. But if there’s nothing on there, you expect it to be free from those allergens.”
Company and Regulatory Responses
In response to the situation, Cocobella stated that their investigation was hampered by Capelo not using the provided contact methods. A spokesperson explained, “Cocobella had no further contact with the consumer after our initial response to them in October last year. The consumer did not make contact on the email or phone numbers provided.”
Despite this, the company has made efforts to reach out following recent social media posts but has yet to receive a response from Capelo. Cocobella encourages consumers with concerns to contact them directly.
At least 10 individuals with milk allergies have been hospitalized after consuming Cocobella yoghurt, with some cases occurring prior to the recall issued in August. Victoria’s Department of Health has confirmed receiving two reports of hospitalization linked to the product and is working with Dairy Food Safety Victoria to prevent further incidents.
“Victoria is the only jurisdiction requiring mandatory anaphylaxis notifications and this helps us identify potential public health risks — such as mislabelled food — and enables prompt action to prevent further harm,” a spokesperson from the department stated.
Looking Ahead
Food Standards Australia New Zealand is collaborating with state and territory food authorities and Cocobella to ensure all affected products are removed from shelves. Consumers with milk allergies or intolerance are advised not to consume these products and can return them for a full refund.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring consumer safety and addressing the concerns raised by affected families. The incident highlights the critical need for stringent food safety protocols and transparent communication between companies and consumers.
