What’s Greek for Fraud? Chobani Greek Yogurt Targeted for Misleading ‘Natural’ Claims
Chobani yogurt is the latest target of GMO Inside, an anti-GMO organization working to force manufacturers to disclose use of genetically modified ingredients.
GMO Inside says Chobani should stop marketing its popular Greek yogurt products as “real” and “natural” because they’re made from milk that is derived from cows who are fed genetically modified organisms.
Thousands of consumers left comments on Chobani’s Facebook page, and GMO Inside has urged consumers to also sign a petition.
“Chobani has an opportunity to be a leader amongst meat and dairy companies by listening to its customers and ensuring its cows are given non-GMO food,” Elizabeth O’Connell, campaign director for GMO Inside, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Chobani responded in a statement, saying that “GMO is complex and weighs on the balance of our commitments, particularly affordability, as non-GMO ingredients are fewer and more costly. We are in the infancy of exploring how we as a company, together with our suppliers, will navigate this important issue. We have never made claims that our products are GMO-free.”
The GMO Inside campaign against Chobani marks one of the first significant efforts to address the widespread practice of feeding livestock genetically modified grains over the use of GMO ingredients directly (like the organization’s Cheerios campaign). Billions of animals are raised for food each year in the U.S., and the majority of them are fed genetically modified alfalfa, soy, and corn. GMO Inside says that by addressing this issue, it could create a massive shift in consumer buying habits and decrease the prevalence of GMOs in the U.S.
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Image: bpende
