Ten months after a nationwide recall of Chobani Greek yogurt linked to reports of more than 400 illnesses, microbiologists say the fungus responsible for the outbreak isn’t as harmless as company officials indicated.
Experts with Duke University tested yogurt affected by the September 2013 recall taken from the refrigerator of a Texas couple who said they both became ill after eating it.
The scientists found that the sample contained Mucor circinelloides, the fungus detected at the Twin Falls, Idaho, plant where the yogurt was made. But additional testing revealed that it was a subspecies of the bug that is commonly associated with human infections.
“The potential risk would be higher than we might have thought,” said Soo Chan Lee, a senior research associate with the Duke Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. The study is published in the journal mBio.
That contradicts the position of experts cited by Chobani who said the mold is “not considered a disease-causing microorganism," and might pose risk only to people with compromised immune systems.
But Dr. Alejandro Mazzotta, Chobani's vice president of global quality, food safety and regulatory affairs, disputed the study findings.
"To our knowledge, there is no evidence, including the assertions presented in this publication, that the strain in the recalled products causes illness in consumers when ingested," he said in a statement. Chobani officials say they've made significant investments in technology and personnel to improve food safety procedures.
At least 403 reports of illness tied to the recall were reported in the past year, Food and Drug Administration officials said Monday. Reports aren't confirmed cases, the FDA noted.
Chobani has taken steps to eradicate the mold at the plant, FDA officials said.
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- JoNel Aleccia
FAQs
The scientists found that the sample contained Mucor circinelloides, the fungus detected at the Twin Falls, Idaho, plant where the yogurt was made. But additional testing revealed that it was a subspecies of the bug that is commonly associated with human infections.
Is there a recall on Chobani yogurt? ›
The recall includes all flavors of Chobani Greek Yogurt in the following brand and sizes; Chobani 6 ounce, 16 ounce, 32 ounce, 3.5 ounce, Chobani Bite packaged in 3.5 ounce, Chobani Flip in 5.3ounce containers, Chobani Champions cups in 3.5 ounce containers, and Chobani Champions tubes packaged in 2.25 ounce and sold ...
Can you eat Greek yogurt if it has mold? ›
There are several things to look for that signals if yogurt has gone bad. Here's what to check for: Mold or yeast growth: Amidor reports that this can be green, blue, gray or white in color. “If you see any strange color that is not supposed to be there, then discard the yogurt,” she says.
Does Chobani Greek yogurt have live bacteria? ›
Chobani is a Greek-style yogurt brand. This yogurt contains live and active cultures, including L. acidophilus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Not only is this yogurt a great source of probiotics, but it is also gluten-free, kosher-certified, and contains no genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Why is Chobani discontinued? ›
The company states that inflation is the main reason for the discontinuation. “We have come to the tough conclusion that it does not make sense for Chobani to be in the Dairy Milk business at this time,” the company said.
What yogurt is being recalled in 2024? ›
The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market.
What to do if you ate moldy yogurt? ›
Most of the time, if you accidentally consume mold, you should just let the symptoms pass, says Richards. "But if you notice gastrointestinal symptoms, it's a good idea to add a probiotic into your health regimen and follow a fairly bland diet to help replenish the healthy bacteria in your gut," she says.
What color is mold on Greek yogurt? ›
*If yogurt has an orange/pinkish colour on top - that's the start of mold - don't eat. *If yogurt has any signs of mold - don't scoop out the mold - the whole container is unsafe. Remember, you can freeze or bake with yogurt - even flavoured yogurt so there's never a reason to toss it.
Is Chobani actually healthy? ›
Nutrient-dense
Low-fat, and fat-free dairy foods like Chobani® yogurt are part of a recommended healthy eating pattern that provides an excellent source of protein, a balance of good fats, and a host of naturally occurring essential vitamins and minerals.
Which Chobani yogurt is the healthiest? ›
Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt
“While it does have 5 grams of added sugars, that's still way less sugar than most other flavored yogurts out there,” says Mariana Dineen, RD, registered dietitian and founder of Elemento Health. “It's the perfect compromise for those who want some sweetness without going overboard.”
Chobani® yogurts specifically contain live and active cultures—S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L.
Is chobani yogurt safe to eat? ›
Yes, including either one or two cups of low-fat Greek Chobani yogurt can be a good addition to your healthy diet. Why is Chobani yogurt so famous? Chobani sells Greek yogurt with higher levels of protein than conventional yogurt.
What is the lawsuit against Chobani? ›
Chobani LLC is free for now of a proposed class suit alleging it deceptively portrays yogurt products as humanely produced and environmentally friendly. The allegations concern the sufficiency of Fair Trade USA standards but don't appear to allege that Chobani isn't meeting them, a federal court in New York said.
Is it OK to eat Chobani yogurt everyday? ›
Consuming one to two cups of low-fat Greek yogurt daily can be a healthy addition to your diet without making it difficult to maintain your weight.
What bacteria are in Chobani yogurt? ›
Below are pie charts showing the taxonomic order associated with the most abundant 16S rDNA reads from the normal-appearing strawberry cup and the recalled lime cup. Chobani indicates that they have three probiotic cultures in their yogurt: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidus.
