Chobani Mold Yogurt Recall: Several Illnesses Reported
Nearly a week after New Berlin, NY – based yogurt manufacturer Chobani refused to issue a recall notice for its product, even after it received reports that some of its yogurt cups were “swelling and bloating,” they announced a recall of some of its Greek yogurt cups that were affected by mold. The move is believed to have been prompted by several reports of illnesses experienced by some of its customers.
The issued recall comes just days after the Food and Drug Administration claimed that it was in talks with the company about the situation. Chobani officials said that the decision to recall the yogurt cups was theirs, and not the FDA’s. They also noted that most of the affected yogurt cups have already been removed from store shelves. They claimed that the affected products, which represented less than 5 percent of their total production.
The products affected by the recall include containers of Chobani marked with the code 16-012 and expiration dates between Sept. 11 and Oct. 7, 2013. They include Chobani in 16- and 32-ounce tubs and 3.5 and 6-ounce cups; Chobani Bite 3.5-ounce cups; Chobani Flip 5.3-ounce cups; and Chobani Champions in 2.25-ounce tubes and 3.5-ounce cups.
According to the company, the problem with the yogurt came from a certain type of mold commonly present in dairy facilities, such as the one in Idaho from which the yogurt came. The mold formed, they claim, because Chobani uses no preservatives in its yogurt products, and they now describe the problem as “totally fixed.” The company would not say how many illness reports it received, except to say it was less than one hundred. Some customers apparently referred to their yogurt as “unnervingly fizzy,” while another complained that it tasted like wine.
If you have any of these Chobani products matching this description, or you think you might, you should follow the recall and immediately return them to the store for a full refund.
If you or someone you know has become sick, and you suspect it’s possible the illness was caused by Chobani yogurt, see a doctor immediately, and then please contact the experienced Texas Food Safety Attorney at Hill Law Firm as soon as possible to protect your health and your rights.