Chobani Gives Up on Olympic Yogurt, Donates to Food Banks

The yogurt was blocked from leaving a cold storage facility in New Jersey by Russian officials, who claim the U.S. failed to provide specific health- and safety-related paperwork necessary to allow the food to reach their country. The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) say the real reason is a 3.5-year-old trade dispute over dairy products.

The ban remains, despite Schumer's letters to Olympic officials and the Russian embassy in Washington urging the country to allow the yogurt shipment. The yogurt is getting old and the Olympics are nearly over.

"It's been a long, cold winter and we're happy incredible organizations in New York and New Jersey, who share our vision to provide nutritious foods, will be able to serve fresh cups of Chobani to those in need," Ulukaya continued. "We'll be waiting for our athletes when they come home while cheering them on every step of the way."

Dave Fusaro, http://www.foodprocessing.com