06/09/2013 14:02
FDA now reviewing Chobani's voluntary recall of Greek yogurt
The Food and Drug Administration is looking into the recall of Greek-style yogurt by Chobani after the company acknowledged a mold problem and pulled containers off store shelves nationwide
Chobani didn't issue a formal recall through the FDA, but last week notified retailers on its own about yogurt produced at its plant in Twin Falls, Idaho.
"We are reviewing this situation," said Tamara Ward, an FDA spokeswoman. "We monitor all recalls."
Chobani asked stores on Friday to pull 15 flavors, but did not alert the public.
Only after people started complaining and asking questions on its Facebook page did Chobani acknowledge Tuesday that mold "commonly found in the dairy environment" had made some containers bloat, hiss and even explode. Customers should toss containers with expiration dates from Sept. 11 to Oct. 7 and a code of 16-012, the company said.
Several people reported on the Facebook page that they or family members became sick after eating the yogurt.
Mold can grow on dairy products. It's normal on blue cheese, for example. But it also indicates spoilage and can be harmful, depending on the amount, Ward said.
The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FDA advise people to throw away moldy food.
Ward praised Chobani for voluntarily withdrawing the yogurt. "That's a good thing on the part of the company," she said. "We encourage them to do voluntary recalls."
Molds can cause allergic and respiratory reactions, according to the USDA. In the right conditions, a few molds produce "mycotoxins," poisonous substances that can cause illness.
Chobani did not respond to questions Wednesday about the type of mold, how it got into the yogurt and what the company has done about it. Spokeswoman Amy Juaristi said earlier that Chobani has fixed the problem, but declined to give details.
Chobani asked disgruntled customers to send it an email at [email protected]. Juaristi said the company would replace spoiled yogurt.
Dahlyla Lang-Knight, a 36-year-old mother in Orchards, Wash., said her 14-month-old daughter is back to normal after becoming sick from the yogurt, but her 3-year-old daughter still complained of a stomach ache.
Lang-Knight said she contacted the FDA about the illnesses.