Chobani, LLC touts its products as Fair Trade USA Certified, having the “highest standards” for workers, promoting “sustainable livelihoods,” and supporting “safe animal care.” But the complaint for this class action alleges these representations are “false, without basis, and … meant to deceive consumers.” It alleges that the Fair Trade worker protections and standards are less than those required by other programs, offer the bare minimum required by US law, and say nothing at all about animal care.
The class for this action is all consumers who bought the products in the US between the statute of limitations period and the date the class is certified in this case.
The products at issue in this case include at least Chobani’s 32-ounce, multi-serving Greek yogurt tubs, in Whole Milk Plain, Low Fat Plain, Non-Fat Plain, Strawberry Blended, and Vanilla Blended varieties.
“Historically,” the complaint for this class action says, “farm workers in the United States have suffered from low wages, long hours, and an overall lack of legal protections afforded to workers in other industries.”
While Chobani met with dairy workers who were campaigning for better working conditions, the complaint alleges, it ultimately decided to go for the Fair Trade USA certification with lower standards than the workers were asking for. The complaint claims that this standard does not do more than reiterate the weak standards for farm workers already existing under US law.
The complaint alleges that “dairy workers suffer some of the highest rates of fatalities and injuries in US agriculture.” It adds, “Fatalities on New York dairy farms rose after Chobani began producing yogurt in 2007, with deaths peaking in 2014.”
Farm workers do not receive the benefits of key protections for workers in other fields, such as certain parts of the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration workplace safety standards. Workers therefore have been trying to organize to set higher standards, such as those under the Milk with Dignity standards.
First, the complaint alleges that Chobani does not offer a living wage standard or overtime protections and maintains at-will employment status.
Second, it says, Chobani does not off “the highest standards” for workers; other programs, such as Milk With Dignity, offer higher ones.
Third, it says, the worker standards for Fair Trade USA fall below its international standards for workers outside the USA.
Finally, the complaint alleges that Fair Trade USA has no standards at all for animal care.
The complaint alleges that Chobani’s claims relating to the Fair Trade USA certification mislead and deceive consumers.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Chobani Fair Trade USA Certification Misleads Consumers Complaint
June 17, 2022
Chobani, LLC touts its products as Fair Trade USA Certified, having the “highest standards” for workers, promoting “sustainable livelihoods,” and supporting “safe animal care.” But the complaint for this class action alleges these representations are “false, without basis, and … meant to deceive consumers.” It alleges that the Fair Trade worker protections and standards are less than those required by other programs, offer the bare minimum required by US law, and say nothing at all about animal care.
Chobani Fair Trade USA Certification Misleads Consumers ComplaintCase Event History
Chobani Fair Trade USA Certification Misleads Consumers Complaint
June 17, 2022
Chobani, LLC touts its products as Fair Trade USA Certified, having the “highest standards” for workers, promoting “sustainable livelihoods,” and supporting “safe animal care.” But the complaint for this class action alleges these representations are “false, without basis, and … meant to deceive consumers.” It alleges that the Fair Trade worker protections and standards are less than those required by other programs, offer the bare minimum required by US law, and say nothing at all about animal care.
Chobani Fair Trade USA Certification Misleads Consumers Complaint