My Response to Chobani Products and Current Recall/not a Recall Issue

So, Chobani.

No doubt you've all heard about what's going on with their "non-recall" recall. I found out from Hubby last Friday afternoon when he tried to pick up a few Flips for me only to find our local grocer actively pulling all the product from shelves and being warned not to buy it anywhere because Chobani has "recalled all their stuff". Yikes. I quickly contacted Chobani because, not only am I a fan personally, I've endorsed them for years as a quality product. And I had some in the fridge.

Put simply, Chobani's response to this has been an unmitigated disaster from a P.R. standpoint. From deleting or hiding hundreds of Facebook posts addressing this, and asking what's happening, to refusing to acknowledge a recall, to the promise of "replacing product" only to fail to respond, to finally putting out a press release almost a week later...Horrible.

Look, I know that mistakes can happen. I get it. I goof up in the kitchen all the time, and I'm not cranking out millions of pieces of product in multiple flavors and variations and shipping all around the country. But it's how you handle these problems that matters. Instead of getting out in front of this problem, acknowledging the issue and saying "Oops, we goofed!" and saying they'll make it right, they instead denied, denied, denied until they couldn't hide it anymore. Some bean-counting lawyer somewhere probably had "liability" concerns because, hey...Everybody sues nowadays, right? But how this was handled has made me decide Chobani has no place in my kitchen or fridge. I can't endorse a company that acts this way. Hubby had already moved on from Chobani almost a year ago, since he said he noticed a change in quality and consistency. He's a Fage fan, and it looks like I will be too. I liked Chobani's flavors, the variety, the mix-ins. But I don't like and will not support a company that acts as shamefully as Chobani has acted. So we're a Fage house now, and if you have printed out any of my past recipes that used Chobani, bear in mind that I don't recommend using Chobani for anything.

Chobani Honey Bee Nana Flip Greek Yogurt

Back to continue the Chobani voyage of flavors, so I bring you the latest try and that is Chobani's Honey Bee Nana Flip. Called a Flip because you flip nutritious "goodies" from one cup to the other cup. You can then decide if you want it to be a topper or a mix-in, or a little of both. I like that you have that choice of texture that is kept fresh by keeping the ingredients separate.

Let's break down the cups-
The yogurt portion, which is the larger cup,  is clover honey flavored low-fat yogurt. The "flip" is made of bananas and what could be a touch of honey to sweeten the deal.



The Verdict-
I like that the yogurt provides a healthy 5.3 ounce serving so great for a snack or even breakfast. Only 150 calories, so in my book zero punishment because I can always welcome yogurt at anytime of the day. Three types of probiotics so Chobani has packed not only twice the protein but used quality ingredients.



The Flavor-
My least favorite of the Flip bunch I have tried and it's mostly a texture and flavor related issue. Would I buy it if no other Flip was in stock? Yes, but would prefer to hunt for others first. The puree that makes up the banana is sort of baby food like in texture and because it's soft and wet, it tends to water down the yogurt making it a little soupy/loose for my liking. The flavor also does not have the banana punch I expected from a banana yogurt. You taste honey sweetness but not much fruit and this may be because the puree is getting so lost and everything is dissolving a little too down.  Now, I'm super tempted to purchase this again but maybe bring a fresh banana to the party so I can get that nanner power I want in the flavor department, and this would solve the texture issues.

The Ingredients-
Lowfat Yogurt (cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Cream, Live And Active Cultures: S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei), Bananas, Evaporated Cane Juice, Clover Honey, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Natural Flavors, Turmeric (for Color).

• Say Hello to Chobani's Honey Bee Nana Flip:


• Want to be extra friendly? Then visit them and "like" them on Facebook


• Latest Coupons so save some $$$$
  


• Like Pictures, check Chobani on Pinterest
  


• You want the power of +, here is Chobani on Google+ 
  


• Send them a chirp, tweet, or a peck via Twitter at:  @Chobani

I received the above product free of charge from Chobani.  I am not obligated to provide a favorable/positive review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the brand and products, which may differ from yours.