Study Shows Consumers of Chobani Greek Yogurt Fungus Causes Issues

A study on Chobani Brand Greek Yogurt, much of which was under a food recall last year after consumers began to complain of gastrointestinal problems, found that a Chobani greek yogurt fungus in the recalled yogurt was a common strain that often made consumers sick.

Last September, Chobani issued a voluntary food recall after several consumers complained about gastrointestinal problems. However, the company said that the strain of Mucor circinelloides was not very likely to make consumers ill.

However, the FDA received 223 complaints of gastrointestinal illness by September 17th. One consumer’s symptoms were so severe that he filed a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging negligence on the part of Chobani, and breach of the implied warranty of merchantability for food.

“When he heard about the Chobani recall after reports of people becoming sick from yogurt contaminated with Mucor circinelloides, we thought the M. circinelloides strain could cause more serious problems than one might think.” says Soo Chan Lee of Duke University, an author on the study.

Researchers tested the sample of yogurt under the food recall twice, then took the Chobani Greek Yogurt fungus sample and tested it on mice. The fungus could reportedly survive a passage through the GI tract, which is unusual for many microorganisms, and increases the likelihood of infection. Additionally, when injected into the blood stream, the Chobani Greek Yogurt fungus was lethal to the mice.

“When people think about food-borne pathogens, normally they list bacteria, viruses, and maybe parasites. Fungal pathogens are not considered as food-borne pathogens. However, this incidence indicates that we need to pay more attention to fungi. Fungal pathogens can threaten our health systems as food-borne pathogens,” Lee said.

Defective Products Can Lead to Health or Food Recalls

Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products, whether broken bones from a car accident, or a serious illness from a food-borne pathogen.Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, food recalls, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts.

There are a number of reasons that defective products make it to our shelves:

• Defective manufacturing
• Inadequate testing
• Food-borne pathogens
• Design defects
• Marketing Misrepresentation

Consumers that have been harmed by defective products such as drugs, medical devices, improperly-sealed food, or other products, may be eligible to receive legal remedies.

The Strom Law Firm Protects Citizens Harmed by Delayed Product or Food Recalls

The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm aim to protect our clients’ health and safety, and hold manufacturers to the highest possible standard of safety. Product recalls are especially important because defective drugs, medical devices, food, and toys can seriously injure or even kill consumers. If you or a loved one have experienced severe, life-limiting side effects from a defective food, product or drug, and believe that your pain stems from a product, drug, or food recall that came too late, you may be entitled to compensation. The Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800