Chobani Yogurt Lawsuit, Toxic Phthalates Found In "Natural" Products—Court To Dismiss Case Despite Chemical Evidence

Chobani faces a class action lawsuit filed April 16, 2025, alleging its “Only Natural Ingredients” yogurts contain four types of phthalates—hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to reproductive harm and cancer. Chobani stated in August 2025 that “the court indicated it will dismiss the case in a formal order,” though no formal dismissal order was publicly available as of late October 2025. The phthalates lawsuit, Wysocki v. Chobani LLC, Case No. 3:25-cv-00907-JES-VET, pending in California federal court (Southern District), claims independent testing by PlasticList found toxic chemicals in Chobani Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt and Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt. Separately, Judge Benjamin J. Cheeks denied Chobani’s motion to dismiss the Albrigo case on July 11, 2025, allowing claims about processed stevia and monk fruit extracts labeled as “natural” to proceed.

The phthalates allegedly migrated from plastic polypropylene containers into the yogurt, contradicting Chobani’s prominent “Only Natural Ingredients” labeling. Multiple lawsuits now challenge whether Chobani deceives consumers about product contents.

What Are the Legal Claims in the Chobani Lawsuits?

Chobani currently faces three major categories of litigation challenging different product claims. The legal claims span false advertising, consumer protection violations, and breach of warranty.

Phthalates Contamination Case (Wysocki v. Chobani):

Violations of California Business and Professions Code
California Unfair Competition Law violations
California Consumers Legal Remedies Act violations
Fraudulent concealment
Failure to disclose toxic chemical presence

“Only Natural Ingredients” Case (Albrigo v. Chobani):

California Unfair Competition Law violations
False Advertising Law violations
Unjust enrichment
Claims over manufactured stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract

“Zero Sugar” Case (Dismissed May 29, 2025):

Alleged mislabeling because yogurt contains allulose
Court dismissed with prejudice based on FDA preemption

Chobani Yogurt Lawsuit, Toxic Phthalates Found in "Natural" Products—Court to Dismiss Case Despite Chemical Evidence

What Are Phthalates and Why Do They Matter?

Phthalates are chemicals linked to health risks including reproductive and developmental issues, and some are classified as possible human carcinogens. These “everywhere chemicals” make plastics more flexible and durable but can leach into food products from packaging.

According to the lawsuit, “Physicians, researchers, and public health experts have called for the elimination of phthalates from consumer products, including food packaging and materials that come in contact with food, due to their adverse effects on neurological development”.

Independent testing by PlasticList reportedly found four types of phthalates in Chobani products, including di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). The FDA permits these chemicals for food contact applications, but plaintiffs argue consumers were never told about their presence despite “Only Natural Ingredients” claims.

Who Are the Parties in the Chobani Lawsuits?

Phthalates Case:

Plaintiff: Amy Wysocki (California resident)
Defendant: Chobani LLC
Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Case Number: 3:25-cv-00907-JES-VET
Filed: April 16, 2025
Status: Expected dismissal per Chobani’s August 2025 statement

“Only Natural” Case:

Plaintiff: Laura Willis Albrigo
Defendant: Chobani LLC
Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Case Number: 3:24-cv-01418
Filed: 2024
Status: Active—court denied dismissal motion July 11, 2025

“Zero Sugar” Case (Closed):

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Judge: John J. Tharp, Jr.
Dismissed: May 29, 2025 (with prejudice)

What Is the Current Status of the Chobani Lawsuits?

The Chobani litigation landscape shows mixed results as of November 2025:

Phthalates Lawsuit: Chobani announced in August 2025 that “the court indicated it will dismiss the case in a formal order” during a hearing, though no formal dismissal order was publicly available as of late October 2025. The case remains technically active pending the written order.

“Only Natural” Lawsuit: Judge Cheeks issued a July 11, 2025, decision denying Chobani’s motion to dismiss. The court found that “the claims are more than speculative because Plaintiff has sufficiently connected the manufactured ingredients to the products”, citing the complaint’s description of the 11-step manufacturing process for stevia extract and monk fruit extract processing.

“Zero Sugar” Lawsuit: Completely dismissed May 29, 2025, when Judge Tharp ruled that FDA guidance allowing allulose to be excluded from sugar totals preempts state law claims.

Why Did the “Only Natural” Case Survive Dismissal?

Judge Cheeks found that Albrigo “sufficiently alleged that the yogurt products contain stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract, which have undergone transformative manufacturing processes that a reasonable customer wouldn’t consider natural”.

The complaint details how stevia processing requires “liquid extract [to be] clarified by either chemical- or electro-coagulation and filtering in an industrial tank” and uses “a water-immiscible solvent, such as pure ethanol”. The final step involves “hot, decolorized alcoholic TSG syrup [being] spray dried”.

This industrial processing contradicts consumer expectations of “natural” ingredients, which typically means minimally processed whole foods. The court recognized that FDA compliance alone doesn’t shield companies from state consumer protection lawsuits if claims remain misleading to reasonable consumers.

What Settlement Developments Have Occurred?

No settlements have been announced in any of the three major Chobani lawsuits as of November 2025.

The phthalates case awaits a formal dismissal order, while the “Only Natural” case proceeds to discovery and potential class certification. The “Zero Sugar” case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

Given the pending dismissal of the phthalates case and Chobani’s victory on the allulose issue, the company appears to be successfully defending against most claims while the stevia/monk fruit case remains the primary ongoing threat.

What Do Consumers Need to Know?

If You Purchased Chobani Products:

For the phthalates lawsuit, the expected dismissal means consumers likely won’t receive compensation through that case. However, if you purchased Chobani Zero Sugar yogurts with stevia or monk fruit, you may be part of the Albrigo class if it achieves certification.

No Action Required Now:

You don’t need to file anything to be included in class actions at this stage. If the Albrigo case settles or reaches a favorable verdict, class members will be notified and provided claim instructions.

Keep Purchase Records:

Maintain receipts, order confirmations, or credit card statements showing Chobani purchases. These may be needed if a settlement is reached.

How Does This Compare to Similar Yogurt Lawsuits?

Chobani isn’t alone in facing “natural” ingredient challenges:

Similar Cases:

Danone’s “evian”: Lawsuits over natural spring water claims
Yoplait: Challenged over “natural” flavoring in strawberry yogurt
General Mills: Multiple lawsuits over “all natural” claims despite synthetic ingredients
KIND Snacks: Sued over “healthy” claims

The trend reflects “increasing litigation risk around terms like ‘natural,’ ‘minimally processed’ and ‘keto-friendly'”. Food companies face tension between marketing language that resonates with consumers and legal standards that scrutinize processing methods.

What Are Typical Settlements in Yogurt Cases?

While no Chobani settlement exists, similar false advertising cases provide benchmarks:

Comparable Food Labeling Settlements:

$2-5 million range: Common for mid-sized consumer product cases
$10-50 per consumer: Typical payment amounts with proof of purchase
$5-20 without proof: Cap for no-receipt claims
Label changes: Injunctive relief requiring corrected marketing
25-33% attorney fees: Standard deduction from settlement funds

The Albrigo case, if successful, could follow similar patterns depending on class size and damages calculations.

What Is Chobani’s Defense Strategy?

Chobani has successfully argued FDA preemption in the allulose case, demonstrating federal regulations trump state consumer protection laws when labeling complies with FDA guidance.

For the phthalates case, Chobani likely argued that FDA-approved packaging materials don’t violate “natural” claims since the chemicals aren’t intentionally added ingredients. The expected dismissal suggests courts may accept this distinction.

The “Only Natural” case poses more challenges because “literal statutory compliance is sometimes not enough to avoid a suit if a claim is still deceptive to a reasonable consumer”. FDA approval of stevia processing doesn’t prevent state law claims if the “natural” label misleads buyers.

What Are the Next Steps in Active Cases?

For the Phthalates Lawsuit:

Formal dismissal order from court (expected soon)
Possible appeal by plaintiffs (though unlikely given court’s indication)
Case closure if no appeal filed

For the “Only Natural” Lawsuit:

Discovery phase (document production, depositions)
Class certification motion (likely in 2026)
Expert witness reports on consumer perception and damages
Settlement negotiations or trial preparation

Typical timeline: 18-36 months from July 2025 ruling to final resolution.

What Does This Mean for the Food Industry?

The Chobani cases “could change the definition of ‘natural’ on packaging” and force greater transparency about ingredient processing.

Industry Implications:

Stricter disclosure requirements about manufacturing processes
Rethinking “natural” claims on heavily processed ingredients
Packaging material scrutiny for chemical migration
Competitive pressure to adopt cleaner formulations

Some predict the outcome “could indirectly lead to stricter disclosure guidelines regarding packaging” and “changes in marketing tactics to avoid consumer skepticism of ambiguous terminology like ‘natural'”.

Food manufacturers increasingly face the reality that FDA compliance doesn’t guarantee immunity from consumer lawsuits if marketing creates misleading impressions.

FAQ: Chobani Yogurt Lawsuits

Q: What is the Chobani yogurt lawsuit about?

A class action filed April 16, 2025, alleges Chobani’s “Only Natural Ingredients” yogurts contain four types of phthalates—hormone-disrupting chemicals. A separate case challenges stevia and monk fruit as “natural” despite industrial processing.

Q: What is the latest update on the Chobani lawsuits?

Chobani stated in August 2025 that the court indicated it would dismiss the phthalates case, though no formal order was public as of October 2025. The “Only Natural” case survived dismissal on July 11, 2025.

Q: Has the phthalates lawsuit been dismissed?

Not officially. Chobani announced the court indicated dismissal during an August hearing, but no formal dismissal order was publicly available as of late October 2025. The case remains technically active pending written order.

Q: What products are involved in the lawsuits?

The phthalates lawsuit targets Chobani Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt and Chobani Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt. The stevia case involves Chobani Zero Sugar Greek Yogurt varieties.

Q: Is there a settlement in the Chobani cases?

No. No settlements have been announced in any Chobani lawsuit as of November 2025. The phthalates case awaits dismissal, while the “Only Natural” case proceeds to discovery.

Q: What should Chobani consumers do?

Keep purchase records. You don’t need to take action now—if class actions settle, you’ll be notified. The expected dismissal of the phthalates case means that avenue for compensation is closing.

Q: What happened to the “Zero Sugar” lawsuit?

Dismissed with prejudice on May 29, 2025, after Judge Tharp ruled FDA guidance on allulose labeling preempts state law claims. The case cannot be refiled.

Legal Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Lawsuit details, case status, and settlement information may change. Consult official court records, review current case filings independently, and contact an attorney for specific questions about the Chobani yogurt lawsuit or consumer rights.

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About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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Chobani Yogurt Lawsuit, Toxic Phthalates Found in “Natural” Products—Court to Dismiss Case Despite Chemical Evidence