Chobani Faces Lawsuit Alleging Cancer-Related Risks

Popular Greek yoghurt brand Chobani came under fire after a class action lawsuit was filed against them. The lawsuit, which was filed in April 2025, alleged that the company has misled consumers by marketing their products as containing “only natural ingredients”. According to the lawsuit, third-party testing found that Chobani’s products contained man-made plastic chemicals.

The third-party testing cited in the allegations was conducted by PlasticList, which found that Chobani’s yoghurt contained phthalates. Phthalates are a type of chemical that is found in plastics. Research has shown that these chemicals have adverse effects on human health.

Some phthalates are endocrine disruptors. In other words, these chemicals may interfere with the hormone system, causing the body to produce more or less of certain hormones. This results in an increased risk of health issues, such as an increased risk of diabetes or cancer. The test conducted by PlasticList suggests that the presence of the chemicals were likely due to the chemicals leaching from the plastic container.

The lawsuit was filed by Amy Wysocki, a Canadian resident who purchased the brand’s non-fat plain Greek yogurt in 2023. She claimed that she would not have purchased the yoghurt had she known that it contained phthalates. The lawsuit aims to represent all US consumers who, within the applicable statute of limitations, purchased Chobani’s products.

In response to the litigation, a spokesperson from the brand commented, “Chobani has moved to dismiss the allegations raised by plaintiff Wysocki as they lack merit. In a hearing held in August, the court indicated it will dismiss the case in a formal order. As we have always maintained, our products include only natural ingredients. We are looking forward to the court’s decision.”

Additionally, no regulatory agency has confirmed the presence of phthalates in Chobani products.

Phthalates are commonly found in plastics. They can be found in many consumer products such as personal care products and nail polish. Hence, it is common for people to be exposed to phthalates by consuming contaminated food or beverages, applying personal care products or breathing in dust particles released from products that contain phthalates.

While research has shown that phthalates are linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, there is currently no definitive evidence that it is carcinogenic to humans. The US FDA currently allows nine types of phthalates for food packaging but they are not allowed in food products. Nonetheless, the FDA has been continuing its evaluation of the chemicals to ensure that they are not harmful to humans.