4/26/14 Health News: Chobani And Fage Face Lawsuits Over Sugar Content ♦ TASK FORCE TO HELP POLLINATORS RECOVER♦ SHIGELLOSIS OUTBREAK AT WALMART HQ

Chobani And Fage Face Lawsuits Over Sugar Content And ‘Greekness’

Greek yogurt has gone from health food fad to inescapable food phenomenon in just a few short years. In record time, it has practically replaced non-Greek yogurt — sort of. How “Greek” is the Greek yogurt we Americans have come to worship? Not so Greek after all, it turns out, at least according to a new lawsuit Continue Reading

WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHES TASK FORCE TO HELP POLLINATORS RECOVER

The Obama administration released a presidential memorandum last week establishing a federal strategy for reversing the declining populations of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Over the past decade, populations of bees and other pollinators have drastically fallen, threatening the stability of a large proportion of crops worldwide which rely on such insects to pollinate them.... Continue Reading

ARKANSAS HEALTH OFFICIALS LINK SHIGELLOSIS OUTBREAK TO WALMART HQ CAFETERIA

The Arkansas Department of Health has traced an outbreak of Shigellosis affecting dozens of people to a cafeteria at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, AR. Officials indicated the likely source was Salsarita’s, a Mexican food bar operated by Eurest. “So far that does seem to be where most people say that they had eaten before they... Continue Reading

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? REPORT ON FORTIFIED FOODS TRIES TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION

Many Americans don’t get enough of the vitamins and minerals they should, but the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is now concerned that children and other vulnerable populations are exposed to excessive and unhealthy amounts in the foods they eat. The EWG report out Tuesday highlighted the levels of vitamin A, zinc and niacin in breakfast cereals... Continue Reading

89 People Sick After Eating Chobani Greek Yogurt

At least 89 people have reported getting sick after eating Chobani Greek yogurt manufactured in Twin Falls, the Food and Drug Administration reported. FDA spokeswoman Tamara Ward reported that some have described nausea and cramps.No link has been confirmed between the illnesses and the yogurt. However, Ward says the FDA is working with Chobani to hasten its voluntary recall.

Chobani last week told grocery stores to destroy 35 varieties of yogurt reported to have been contaminated by a mold associated with dairy products. Last Thursday, Chobani spokeswoman Amy Juaristi said 95 percent of the tainted product had been destroyed. The affected yogurt cups have the code 16-012 and expiration dates between Sept. 11 and Oct. 7.

Health officials have said the yogurt is not a public health threat, but the company said last week the "mold can act as an opportunistic pathogen for those with compromised immune systems."

Juaristi told the newspaper on Monday that the company had identified the source of the issue at the Twin Falls plant and had taken steps to prevent it from happening again. The company has not said what caused the outbreak or how it would prevent a reoccurrence.

Mold behind Chobani recall poses little threat to consumers

Randy Worobo is a professor of Food Science in Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a leading expert on food spoilage, and microbial food safety and quality. He comments on Thursday’s announcement of a voluntary recall by Chobani of some Greek yogurt products due to reports of mold contamination.

Worobo says:

“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. It is not considered a disease-causing food borne microorganism.

“This 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. The organism is regularly used for the production of natural flavor compounds that are widely used in the food industry.”

Chobani is recalling Greek Yogurt

Chobani is recalling Greek Yogurt.

The company has ceased the distribution of the product due to reports of product bloating and swelling and some claims of illness as the company continues its investigation to identify the root cause. Chobani originally thought the problem was caused by a type of mold that would cause spoilage but would not cause illness. Since people have reported getting sick they are doing further research.

The potentially affected product was distributed nationwide from its Twin Falls, Idaho facility and was delivered to consumers through retail and club stores.

The products subject to recall are identified as follows:

Sep 11 –13 (four digit timestamp)

to

Oct 07-13 (four digit timestamp) 16-012 (three digit line number) Chobani 6 oz. cups – all flavors

Chobani 16 oz. tubs – all flavors

Chobani 32 oz. tubs – all flavors

Chobani 3.5 oz. cups – all flavors

Chobani Bite™ 3.5 oz. cups – all flavors

Chobani Flip™ 5.3 oz. containers – all flavors

Chobani Champions® cups 3.5 oz. – all flavors

Chobani Champions® tubes 2.25 oz., 8, 16 and 36 count – all flavors See attached list.

Consumers who have purchased the product should discard the product and may contact the company's Customer Loyalty Team at chobani.com/care1 or call us at 877-847-6181 between the hours of 9am and 5pm ET. Our team is diligently working to coordinate replacements or refunds and will be in touch as soon as possible during this time of very high contact volumes.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

LIST OF RECALLED PRODUCTS

Description UPC Code

6 oz. Chobani 0% Plain 8-94700-01001-4

6 oz. Chobani 0% Vanilla 8-94700-01002-1

6 oz. Chobani 0% Honey 8-94700-01003-8

6 oz. Chobani 0% Strawberry 8-94700-01004-5

6 oz. Chobani 0% Blueberry 8-94700-01005-2

6 oz. Chobani 0% Peach 8-94700-01006-9

/6 oz. Chobani 0% Lemon 8-94700-01009-0

6 oz. Chobani 2% Pineapple 8-94700-01010-6

6 oz. Chobani 2% Passion Fruit 8-94700-01011-3

6 oz. Chobani 0% Raspberry 8-94700-01012-0

6 oz. Chobani 0% Pomegranate 8-94700-01015-1

6 oz. Chobani 0% Black Cherry 8-94700-01016-8

6 oz Chobani 0% Apple Cinnamon 8-94700-01017-5

6 oz. Chobani 2% Plain 8-94700-01031-1

6 oz. Chobani 2% Strawberry Banana 8-94700-01032-8

6 oz. Chobani 2% Mango 8-94700-01033-5

/6 oz Chobani 0% Blood Orange 8-94700-01034-2

6 oz Chobani 2% Banana 8-94700-01044-1

6 oz Chobani 0% Pear 8-18290-01202-9

6 oz Chobani 2% Apricot 8-18290-01258-6

6 oz Chobani 0% Blackberry 8-18290-01259-3

6 oz. Chobani 0% Key Lime Blend 8-18290-01271-5

6 oz. Chobani 2% Coconut Blend 8-18290-01273-9

6 oz. Chobani 2% Orange Vanilla Blend 8-18290-01274-6

6 oz Chobani Blue 0% Club Pack, BB, Straw, Peach 8-18290-01216-6

6 oz. Chobani 0% Peach 8-94700-01030-4

6 oz Chobani 2% Pineapple 8-94700-01038-0

6 oz Chobani 0% Black Cherry 8-94700-01039-7

6 oz Chobani 0% Strawberry 8-94700-01040-3

6 oz Chobani 0% Blueberry 8-94700-01041-0

/6 oz Chobani 0% Key Lime Blend 8-18290-01275-3

/6 oz Chobani 0% Raspberry Blend 8-18290-01276-0

6 oz Chobani 2% Coconut Blend 8-18290-01277-7

6 oz Chobani 2% Orange Vanilla Blend 8-18290-01278-4

6 oz Chobani 0% Vanilla Blend 8-18290-01279-1

6 oz Chobani 2% Strawberry Banana Blend 8-18290-01280-7

6 oz Chobani 0% Strawberry FOB 8-18290-01281-4

6 oz Chobani 0% Blueberry FOB 8-18290-01282-1

6 oz Chobani 0% Black Cherry FOB 8-18290-01283-8

6 oz Chobani 0% Peach FOB 8-18290-01284-5

6 oz Chobani 2% Pineapple FOB 8-18290-01285-2

6 oz Chobani 0% Blackberry FOB 8-18290-01286-9

16 oz Chobani 0% Plain 8-94700-01007-6

16 oz Chobani 0%Vanilla 8-94700-01008-3

16 oz Chobani 2% Mango Blended 8-94700-01018-2

16 oz Chobani 0% Peach Blended 8-94700-01029-8

16 oz Chobani 2% Plain 8-94700-01037-3

16 oz Chobani 2% Van Choc Chunk Blended 8-94700-01045-8

16 oz Chobani 2% Pineapple Blended 8-94700-01046-5

16 oz Chobani 0% Blueberry Blended 8-94700-01055-7

16 oz Chobani 0% Black Cherry Blended 8-94700-01056-4

32 oz. Chobani 0% Plain 8-94700-01013-7

32 oz. Chobani 0% Vanilla 8-94700-01014-4

32 oz. Chobani 0% Strawberry 8-94700-01026-7

32 oz. Chobani 2% Plain 8-94700-01043-4

32 oz. Chobani 0% Plain Club Pack 8-94700-10184-2

3.5 oz Champions 1.5% Van Choc Chunk 8-94700-01048-9

3.5 oz Champions 1.5% Very Berry 8-94700-01049-6

3.5 oz Champions 1.5% Banana Honey 8-94700-01052-6

3.5 oz Champions 1.5% Orange Vanilla 8-94700-01058-8

3.5oz Champions 2% Strawberry 8-18290-01261-6

3.5oz Champions 2% Blueberry 8-18290-01262-3

3.5oz Champions 2% Strawberry Banana 8-18290-01263-0

3.5oz Champions 2% Dragonfruit 8-18290-01264-7

3.5 oz Chobani 0% Bite Raspberry w/ Dark Chocolate Chips 8-18290-01208-1

3.5 oz Chobani 0% Bite Coffee w/ Dark Chocolate Chips 8-18290-01209-8

3.5 oz Chobani 2% Bite Fig w/ Orange Zest 8-18290-01210-4

3.5 oz Chobani 2% Bite Caramel w/ Pineapple 8-18290-01211-1

3.5 oz Chobani 2% Bite Honey Ginger 8-18290-01213-5

3.5 oz Chobani 0% Bite Mint Chocolate Chunk 8-18290-01293-7

3.5oz Chobani 0% Strawberry/Peach 8-18290-01287-6

3.5oz Chobani 0% Strawberry/Blueberry 8-18290-01288-3

3.5oz Chobani 0% Black Cherry/Blackberry 8-18290-01289-0

3.5oz Chobani 2% Mango/Pineapple 8-18290-01290-6

3.5 oz 2% Champions Club BH/VB 8-94700-10102-6

2.25 oz 1.5% Jammin Strawberry 8-18290-01204-3

2.25 oz 1.5% Rockin Blueberry 8-18290-01205-0

2.25 oz 1.5% Chillin Cherry 8-18290-01206-7

2.25 oz 1.5% Swirlin Strawberry Banana 8-18290-01207-4

2.25 oz 2% Flyin' Dragon Fruit 8-18290-01265-4

2.25 oz Champs 1.5% Rockin Blueberry & Jammin Strawberry 8-18290-01225-8

2.25 oz 1.5% Chillin Cherry & Swirlin Strawberry Banana 8-18290-01240-1

2.25 oz Champs 1.5% CP Rockin Blueberry & Jammin Strawberry 8-18290-01230-2

5.3 oz Chobani 0% Flip Strawberry Sunrise 8-18290-01226-5

5.3 oz Chobani 1.5% Flip Key Lime Crumble 8-18290-01227-2

12/5.3 oz Chobani 1.5% Flip Almond Coco Loco 8-18290-01228-9

5.3 oz Chobani 0% Flip Vanilla Golden Crunch 8-18290-01229-6

5.3 oz. Chobani 0% Flip Blueberry Power 8-18290-01247-0

5.3 oz. Chobani 1.5% Flip Peachy Pistachio 8-18290-01248-7

5.3 oz. Chobani 2% Flip Tropical Escape 8-18290-01249-4

5.3 oz. Chobani 2% Flip Nutty for Nana 8-18290-01260-9

5.3 oz Chobani 1.5% Flip Key Lime Crumble 8-18290-01227-2

5.3 oz Chobani 1.5% Flip Almond Coco Loco 8-18290-01228-9

5.3 oz Chobani 0% Flip Vanilla Golden Crunch 8-18290-01229-6

5.3 oz. Chobani 0% Flip Blueberry Power 8-18290-01247-0

5.3 oz. Chobani 1.5% Flip Peachy Pistachio 8-18290-01248-7

5.3 oz. Chobani 2% Flip Tropical Escape 8-18290-01249-4

5.3 oz. Chobani 2% Flip Nutty for Nana 8-18290-01260-9