A 2013 recall of Chobani yogurt has federal and state authorities squaring off over who knew what when. The he said/she debate between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was touched off by a recent news report about the recall based on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request obtained by Times-News. Chobani Inc. is based in Twin Falls, Idaho. In September 2013, the company issued a recall for all of its Greek Yogurt products "due to reports of product bloating and swelling and some claims of illness." The company temporarily ceased production of the product as it sought to solve the problem which turned out to be a mold, called Mucor circinelloides, that causes dairy products to spoil but does not pose a health risk for … [Read more...]
Research Finds Chobani Yogurt Fungus Potentially Harmful; Company Disagrees
Research published in the peer-reviewed journal MBio has found that the fungus that contaminated Chobani yogurt and was the trigger for a recall last fall was potentially dangerous. At that time, a researcher at Cornell University said that the mold, Mucor circinelloides, "should not pose a health risk to most consumers. Very rarely, it can act as an opportunistic pathogen, but not through food and usually only for people with compromised immune systems through inhalation." In the study, researchers at Duke University isolated M. circinelloides from the yogurt and cultured it. The isolate was obtained from a container purchased by a couple in Texas who developed nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting after consuming the product. Researchers injected the isolate into mice. Some of them got … [Read more...]
Chobani Complaints Pour Into FDA
Complaints about recalled Chobani yogurt are pouring into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of Friday, September 13, at least 170 people had contacted the agency to say they became ill after eating recalled Chobani yogurt. The FDA has not tested any of these individuals and has not established an association between the yogurt and the illnesses, agency spokespeople said Friday. On September 5, Chobani issued a recall of yogurt products because on "product concerns." There had been some reports of illness associated with yogurt in containers that appeared bloated or swollen. Some customers also reported an off taste and hissing or exploding containers. The yogurt was found to be contaminated with Mucor circinelloides, a type of mold that causes dairy products to … [Read more...]
According to FDA, Chobani Yogurt May Have Sickened 89
The Food and Drug Administration has said that at least 89 people got sick after reportedly eating recalled Chobani yogurt products. The yogurt was apparently contaminated with Mucor circinelloides, a type of mold that causes spoilage in dairy products. The mold isn't a disease-causing organism, but it can sicken those with compromised immune systems. The illnesses have not been definitively linked to the yogurt. The recall was first initiated because the containers were bloating and swelling, and the yogurt was thinner than usual and was fizzing and making a hissing sound. Some consumers reported a bad taste as well, and some yogurt containers exploded in the refrigerator. The illnesses reported nausea and cramps, according to Tamara Ward, who spoke to a reporter at the Times-News … [Read more...]
Cornell Professor Identifies Mold in Chobani Yogurts
Randy Worobo, a professor of Food Science at Cornell University, said that the mold in the recalled Chobani yogurt containers is Mucor circinelloides. This species of mold is "not considered a disease-causing foodborne organism", according to the press release. He said in a statement, "Mucor circinelloides is a species of mold commonly associated with fruits, vegetables and dairy that has been reported to cause spoilage like swelling and bloating in yogurt. The mold should not pose a health risk to most consumers. Very rarely, it can act as an opportunistic pathogen, but not through food and usually only for people with compromised immune systems through inhalation." Some people have reportedly become sick after eating the yogurt, but there is no word on any confirmed illnesses or if … [Read more...]
FDA Issues Chobani Recall Statement
The FDA has issued a Chobani yogurt recall statement. The company has stopped distribution because of product bloating and swelling and some illness claims. The product was distributed nationwide from its Twin Falls Idaho facility. The products subject to recall include those tubs of yogurt with best by date codes of September 11-13 (four digit time stamp) to October 07-13. The IMS number is 16-012. The products that are recalled include Chobani 6 ounce cups, all flavors; 16 ounce tubs, all flavors; 32 ounce tubs, all flavors; and 3.5 ounce cups, all flavors. Also recalled are Chobani Bite™ 3.5 ounce cups, all flavors; Chobani Flip™ 5.3 ounce containers, all flavors; Chobani Champions® 3.5 ounce cups, all flavors, and Chobani Champions® 2.25 ounce tubes in 8, 16, and 36 … [Read more...]
Chobani Moves From Product Withdrawal To Product Recall
One week after Chobani discovered a mold problem with yogurt produced at its Idaho facility, the company has issued a recall. Up until today, the company had initiated a product withdrawal, which it told customers about via Facebook. The initial post about the problem on August 31 was vague and left consumers with more questions than answers. In the dark with moldy yogurt is not a good place to be, and Chobani customers let the company know with hundreds of comments on Facebook. The initial post contained the following language: “Upon hearing of isolated quality concerns surrounding certain cups, we thoroughly investigated and were able to determine an issue of quality, not food safety. We are working with our retail partners to voluntarily and proactively remove and replace cups … [Read more...]
Chobani Pulls Yogurt for Quality Issue
Chobani has pulled its yogurt from some stores for a quality issue, the maker of Greek style yogurt said in a post of its Facebook page. The removal of certain yogurts was not because of a food safety issue. Chobani Inc. is based in Norwich, NY. It makes greek style yogurt in a variety of flavors and packages including fruit-on-the-bottom cups, blended cups, flips, tubes and multi-packs. "We are committed to crafting the best-tasting, highest-quality yogurt made with only natural ingredients, and listening to our fans along the way, " the Facebook post states. "Upon hearing of isolated quality concerns surrounding certain cups, we thoroughly investigated and were able to determine an issue of quality, not food safety. We are working with our retail partners to voluntarily and … [Read more...]
