11 Hostess Recalls That Affected Millions

History

11 Hostess Recalls That Affected Millions By Anita Surewicz Sept. 22, 2025 9:40 am EST

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Hostess started out under Continental Baking in 1919 with the debut of its first snack, the Hostess CupCake. The brand exploded in popularity in the 1930s with the advent of Twinkies, sponge cakes that initially featured a banana-flavored filling. Other sweet snacks, such as Donettes, Snoballs, and Ding Dongs, followed, positioning Hostess as one of America's favorite confectionery brands. But despite its longevity, Hostess' journey hasn't always been smooth.

The brand has weathered a string of bankruptcies and buyouts over the decades, with Hostess acquired by the Interstate Bakeries Corporation in 1985 for $560 million. Des