Chobani Yogurt Lawsuit: Are "Only Natural Ingredients" Claims True?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit challenges Chobani's "Only Natural Ingredients" label for its Greek yogurt, alleging the presence of plastic-related substances like phthalates.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Chobani Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Chobani, one of the most recognizable names in grocery stores, is at the center of a lawsuit that questions the accuracy of its labeling. The class action lawsuit claims the company's Greek yogurt products include synthetic chemicals, despite being marketed as made with “Only Natural Ingredients.”

Brought by a California consumer, the complaint alleges that Chobani’s packaging and branding gave the impression that the yogurt was free of artificial substances. Independent lab testing, however, tells a different story.

Chobani's "Only Natural Ingredients" Label Under Legal Fire

Amy Wysocki purchased Chobani Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt in 2023 from a store in San Marcos, California. According to the filing, she chose this product because of Chobani’s prominent claims that the yogurt contained only natural ingredients. The packaging included no mention of synthetic chemicals or any indication that the product could contain phthalates.

Lab results reportedly revealed the presence of several plastic-related substances in two of Chobani’s plain yogurt varieties. These included di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT). Each of these chemicals is commonly used in manufacturing plastics and packaging.

Lawsuit Claims Presence of Phthalates in Plain Greek Yogurt

Phthalates are known to leach from packaging into food. Although used in many consumer products, they have raised health concerns. These compounds are associated with potential hormone disruption and, in some cases, have been labeled as probable human carcinogens by health organizations.

The yogurt tested by the lab was packaged in polypropylene containers. This type of plastic can involve phthalates during production. According to the lawsuit, Chobani, as the manufacturer, should have been aware of this possibility and should have taken steps to verify the purity of the containers.

Wysocki claims she would not have bought the product, or would have paid less, had she known about the presence or risk of synthetic substances. She is also concerned about future purchases, saying she no longer knows if Chobani’s labeling can be trusted.

Consumers Say Labeling Misleads Health-Conscious Buyers

For shoppers, words like “only natural ingredients” carry weight. Labels often serve as shortcuts for evaluating product quality and safety. The lawsuit argues that Chobani’s messaging misled consumers into paying a premium for a product they believed to be free of synthetic chemicals.

According to the filing, the price difference between Chobani and other brands was justified by claims of purity and natural formulation. Consumers like Wysocki say they were influenced by the company’s marketing and made buying decisions based on those claims.

The case does not allege that the yogurt is unsafe to eat, but rather that the presence of plastic-related substances contradicts the product’s advertised identity.

Food Industry Faces Ongoing Scrutiny Over Ingredient Claims

Concerns about unexpected ingredients in food products are not new. Similar lawsuits have targeted other companies over undisclosed substances. For example, a separate case claims that Celtic Sea Salt products contain lead and arsenic despite being promoted as high quality and “doctor recommended.” Another lawsuit argues that metal fragments have been found in granola bars marketed as safe and wholesome.

Wysocki is asking the court to certify a class of consumers who purchased the yogurt under the same assumptions. She is seeking refunds, corrective marketing, and an order requiring Chobani to revise its packaging.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Wysocki v. Chobani, LLC.
• Case Number: 3:25-cv-00907-JES-VET 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• L. Timothy Fisher, Julia K. Venditti, and Joshua B. Glatt (Bursor & Fisher, P.A.)

Do you buy Chobani yogurt? What are your thoughts on the 'natural' claims? Share your opinion below.