Hamdi Ulukaya

In June 2026, Danone sued Chobani in a federal court in Manhattan, accusing its competitor of overstating the protein content per serving of the "20G Protein" range by using a serving size larger than the standard cited by Danone.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In separate litigation, Danone accused Chobani of using a yellow-and-black presentation and the slogan "Bright & Mellow" for La Colombe cold brew coffees that were too similar to its SToK brand. In July 2026, a federal judge refused to dismiss the case at the preliminary stage, finding the allegations plausible.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

The major sponsorship agreement between Chobani and Fenerbahçe in 2025 prompted a political and identity-related controversy in Turkey. Critics targeted Ulukaya's previous statements on Kurdish rights, his Kurdish identity and use of the term "Türkiyeliler" during the signing ceremony.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

In water permit proceedings in Idaho, the city of Twin Falls stated that Chobani had repeatedly exceeded certain pollutant limits under its discharge permit since 2018. It also described an incident on 9 October 2023 in which a programming error left a valve open, discharging untreated wastewater into the municipal system.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In Herceg v. Chobani, a consumer challenged claims associated with Fair Trade USA certification, including "highest standards", "sustainable livelihoods" and support for animal care. In September 2023, the federal judge granted Chobani's motion and dismissed the claims without prejudice, finding, in particular, that the complaint mainly challenged the adequacy of the standard chosen without plausibly demonstrating that Chobani failed to comply with it or that the statements were misleading in the manner alleged.

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In Austin et al. v. Chobani, consumers alleged that the "Fair Trade Certified Dairy" representation was misleading because Chobani's chosen programme allegedly failed to provide the fundamental protections promised to agricultural workers and had been developed without sufficient worker representation. In December 2021, the court was informed of an agreement in principle and the action was closed; subsequent tracking sources describe it as settled and voluntarily dismissed.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Chobani sued Alex Jones and InfoWars after fabricated stories linked the company, Ulukaya and refugees employed in Idaho to a sexual assault case. In May 2017, Jones settled the case and retracted the allegations, acknowledging that they were erroneous.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Personally implicated

Person targeted by the proceedings

Alex Jones

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Consumers sued Chobani, alleging that the "natural" label and the term "evaporated cane juice" for added sugar were misleading and contrary to FDA rules. In 2016, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the initial dismissal and remitted the case for a stay pending the FDA's work.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

As part of its Simply 100 campaign, Chobani compared its products with Dannon's by associating the sucralose used by its competitor with a message of danger. Dannon brought a federal action and obtained a preliminary injunction preventing Chobani from continuing certain advertising claims.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Ulukaya's commitment to hiring refugees and advocacy for their integration triggered a boycott campaign and attacks from the American far right in 2016. Chobani and Ulukaya were subjected to conspiracy narratives and threats.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated

In proceedings separate from those brought by Dannon, General Mills challenged Chobani's Simply 100 campaign, which portrayed potassium sorbate used in Yoplait products as a preservative consumers should be wary of. The federal court granted a preliminary injunction against certain campaign claims.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Hamdi Ulukaya's former wife, Ayşe Giray, claimed up to 53% of Chobani, alleging that her family had provided 500,000 dollars when the predecessor company was launched. The litigation also involved strongly contested allegations about the recipe's origin. The case was settled confidentially in 2015.

Attribution

Directly implicated

FAGE sued Chobani in the United Kingdom after the launch of its US-made yoghurt under the designation "Greek yoghurt". The High Court held that, for a substantial proportion of the British public, the expression meant yoghurt made in Greece and issued a permanent injunction. In January 2014, the Court of Appeal dismissed Chobani's appeal and upheld the prohibition.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In September 2013, Chobani recalled a batch of yoghurt produced at its Idaho plant after mould was discovered and reports emerged of consumers feeling unwell. The FDA stated that it was working with the company on the product withdrawal. Ulukaya issued a personal apology.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility