Toxic Man-Made Chemicals Found in Certain ‘Natural’ Chobani Yogurts, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges

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A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed after toxic chemicals were allegedly found in Chobani nonfat plain Greek yogurt and Chobani whole milk plain Greek yogurt.

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The 26-page lawsuit claims Chobani has misled consumers by advertising that the yogurts contain “only natural ingredients” when, in reality, testing by PlasticList, an independent research organization, detected the presence of man-made plastic chemicals in the products.

More specifically, PlasticList’s test results showed that the Chobani yogurts contained four types of phthalates, a class of chemicals used in plastics to make them more flexible and durable, the case alleges. According to the complaint, phthalates are endocrine disruptors—meaning they interfere with the body’s hormones. They are also associated with cancer, respiratory problems, neurological effects and other adverse health issues, the suit adds.

Per the case, the phthalates detected in Chobani yogurt by PlasticList likely originated from the products’ plastic containers and leached into the yogurt over time.

“Physicians, researchers, and public health experts have called for the elimination of phthalates from consumer products, including food packaging and materials that come in contact with food, due to their adverse effects on neurological development,” the Chobani lawsuit says.

The plaintiff, a California resident who bought Chobani nonfat plain Greek yogurt in 2023, claims she had no reason to believe the product contained, or risked containing, synthetic chemicals, especially considering that its label explicitly states it is made with only natural ingredients. The woman says she would not have purchased the yogurt had Chobani disclosed that the product had unsafe, unnatural phthalates.

“[Chobani], as the manufacturer, is likely aware of the type of plastic used to create the container and is likely in possession of, or capable of obtaining, purity reports and testing from its plastic manufacturers,” the suit contends. “[Chobani] either did so, or negligently or willingly failed to do so.”

The false advertising lawsuit looks to represent all United States residents who purchased Chobani nonfat plain Greek yogurt, Chobani whole milk plain Greek yogurt and all substantially similar products during the applicable statute of limitations period.

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