Dive Brief:
- The Times-News reports that it obtained a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report, which indicates that the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) knew about Chobani's moldy yogurt problems two months before a recall took place—a claim which the ISDA disputes.
- Chobani's September recall affected 35 of its yogurt products from a plant in Twin Falls, Idaho, in an incident that sickened more than 300 people.
- The ISDA maintains that no mold was noted during inspections prior to the recall.
Dive Insight:
Somebody's facts seem to be out of whack in this story. Either the ISDA found mold—or they didn't. It's interesting that the FDA report would assert an official finding that the ISDA denies. Chobani, whose action mattered most of all has been tight-lipped about what happened leading up to the recall. It has since cleaned its equipment and released a statement indicating that the company is "working with internal as well as outside experts to put together one of the most advanced food safety and quality systems in our industry.”