By LawInspectsIf you’re a fan of yogurt products right here in the United States, then there is no way you haven’t heard of Chobani yet. It is quite literally the best and most famous yogurt brand in the country, but lately, this brand has become even more famous, but for all the wrong reasons actually. You see, we’re seeing this Chobani Class Action Lawsuit against this brand, which is related to some toxic chemicals that were found in some of their products. If you don’t know anything about that yet, then let’s get to the details of this case and understand it in a much better way.
Chobani Says “Only Natural Ingredients,” But Is That the Whole Truth?
Among the products in question include Chobani’s plain Greek yogurts, and yes, we mean those nonfat and whole milk versions. Clearly stated on the containers is that they are made with “only natural ingredients.” Well, sounds fair and clean, meaning so to say. The lawsuit insinuates that this might not be exactly as it appears to be.
But here’s the thing, though, you see, when the independent tests were being conducted by the PlasticList, traces of phthalates were found in yogurts. They are industrial chemicals mostly found in plastics, which keep them soft and flexible. At this point, you see, they’re clearly denying it and saying that these chemicals must have gotten into the actual product by the plastic packaging, and that’s all.
What Are Phthalates and Why Should You Be Concerned?
If we be specific here, you see, there are actually a total of four types of phthalates, namely DEHP, DEP, DBP, and DEHT, that were detected in the specific products. These terms might look complicated, but here is the bottom line you see, they are not good for your health. They’re just not!
Considered endocrine disruptors, these chemical substances can interfere with the usual operations of hormones within the human body, and that is precisely why this Chobani Class Action Lawsuit is going super viral these days. Under various studies, they have been seen to associate with some severe health issues, you know, the likes of hormone imbalances, certain cancers, development problems in children, and respiratory problems, among others. Besides, they are an environmental hazard if they find their way into water, air, or soil.
Who Filed the Lawsuit and What’s It About?
Amy Wysocki, a Californian, is the plaintiff behind this case. She states that in 2023, she bought Chobani’s yogurts on account of their label that said “only natural ingredients.” Knowing now the yogurt may contain synthetic chemicals, she says she would not have bought it in the first place.
The complaint has not been just against the company, you see, Amy is requesting the court to allow it to be expedited to a class action suit. This class action suit would, therefore, possibly include anyone in the U.S. who purchased these yogurts under the same assumptions. For damages, it requests money and attorneys’ fees; it might also demand changes in product labels and packaging.
Has Chobani Been in Trouble Before?
How about a little bit of history here? Yes, legal claims have been brought against Chobani before. Like? Well, just so you know, the company was faced with yet another class action lawsuit in 2023, this time for troubling, and by some accounts, deliberately misleading, labeling of their zero-sugar yogurt. The label stated “no sugar,” but the product contained allulose, a sugar not accounted for in standard nutrition labels. Technically, it was not lying, but this just confused and misled a lot of buyers.
Is Chobani as Eco-Friendly as It Claims?
Chobani has tried to project itself as a sustainable and environmentally responsible brand all these years. Like, it has statements on its website about decreasing water usage and affecting the environment as little as possible. Yet now, with concerns that plastic packaging might leak toxic chemicals, people are beginning to wonder just how “green” the brand really is. But, a lot of people say otherwise, like they claim that this brand is just involved in something called “greenwashing” which is a term used when a brand shows on the surface that it is doing all the good thing for the environment and the people, but behind the scenes, it is doing some shady work.