Danone's U.S. subsidiary has sued rival Chobani, alleging that the company inflates protein claims on its "Chobani 20G Protein" yogurt by manipulating serving sizes. Danone seeks unspecified damages and label changes.
The lawsuit highlights intense competition in the Greek-style yogurt market and raises questions about accurate nutritional labeling and consumer perception of protein content.
Danone, the parent company of U.S. yogurt brand Dannon, has sued rival Chobani, accusing it of misleading consumers with claims about a higher-protein line of yogurt. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges that Chobani inflates protein claims on its "Chobani 20G Protein" tubs, which are positioned as a direct competitor to Danone's Oikos Pro.
Danone claims that achieving the stated protein density is difficult and costly, and that Chobani has chosen to inflate serving sizes without increasing the actual amount of yogurt. According to the lawsuit, if Chobani adhered to U.S. Food and Drug Administration serving-size rules, its product would contain fewer than 18 grams of protein per serving. Danone argues this makes Chobani 20G Protein more comparable to its own Oikos Triple Zero brand, which offers 15 to 18 grams of protein per serving at a lower price point.
The company stated that consumers seeking true ultra-high-protein options would choose Oikos Pro, or Oikos Triple Zero for better value, if they knew the truth about Chobani's product. Danone is seeking unspecified damages and changes to Chobani's product labels. This lawsuit marks at least the fourth legal action between Danone and Chobani since 2016, as both companies are major players in the Greek-style yogurt market. Chobani is based in New York, while Danone is headquartered in Paris with its U.S. subsidiary in White Plains, New York.
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