Danone Files Lawsuit Against Chobani Over Protein Content Claims
Danone has initiated legal proceedings against Chobani, alleging that the US yoghurt company has been misleading consumers with its claims about the protein content in its high-protein yoghurt range. The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Manhattan and targets the claims made by Chobani regarding its 20G Protein yoghurt tubs.
According to Danone, which owns the Dannon brand in the United States, the Chobani range is positioned as a competitor to its own Oikos Pro line in the ultra-high-protein yoghurt market. Danone argues that its Oikos Pro yoghurt provides 20 grams of protein per 5.3-ounce serving, which it claims is a standard serving size in the industry. In contrast, Danone alleges that Chobani has inflated the serving sizes on its multi-serving tubs without increasing the actual protein content, which according to Danone, would result in less than 18 grams of protein per serving if standard serving size guidelines set by the US Food and Drug Administration were followed.
Danone contends that this discrepancy makes Chobani's product more comparable to its Oikos Triple Zero brand, which contains between 15 and 18 grams of protein per serving. The complaint emphasizes the significance of these claims at a time when both healthcare providers and the federal government are promoting higher protein intake among consumers.
The French multinational is seeking unspecified damages and a revision of Chobani's labeling practices. This lawsuit adds to a series of legal disputes between Danone and Chobani, marking at least the fourth such case since 2016, illustrating the fierce competition between these two prominent players in the Greek yoghurt segment.
In a related matter, Chobani is currently seeking to have another lawsuit from Danone dismissed. This separate case involves allegations of Chobani copying packaging design and a slogan for a line of cold brew coffee products. Chobani is headquartered in New York, while Danone's main office is in Paris, with its US branch located in White Plains, New York.
