Chobani, Norwich, N.Y., says it took the sugar out of milk to make the groundbreaking Chobani Zero Sugar with only natural ingredients.
To create the new line, Chobani starts with a milk that’s been filtered to reduce naturally occurring sugar. From there, the company says it uses cutting-edge natural fermentation methods that allow yogurt cultures to consume the remaining sugar. Chobani then adds natural non-GMO sweeteners such as monk fruit and allulose.
As a result, Chobani Zero Sugar is the first nationally distributed product in the U.S. yogurt aisle that has no sugar, the company says. The line contains only 60 calories (per 5.3-ounces) — 60% fewer calories than representative low-fat yogurt with fruit, according to USDA FoodData Central. It is lactose-free, is an excellent source of protein and contains six live and active cultures, including probiotics.
“Chobani Zero Sugar is a revolutionary innovation,” said Peter McGuinness, president and chief operating officer of Chobani. “Our team developed a brand-new product that is as delicious as it is healthy. You won’t find another product on shelves nationwide in the U.S. dairy aisle with 11 grams of protein and only natural ingredients, but no sugar or artificial sweeteners.”
The Chobani Zero Sugar platform includes 5.3-ounce single-serve cups in Vanilla, Mixed Berry, Strawberry and Blueberry varieties at a suggested retail price of $1.49; four-packs of 5.3-ounce cups in Vanilla and Mixed Berry varieties at a suggested retail price of $4.49; and 32-ounce multi-serve containers (in Vanilla) at a suggested retail price of $5.49.
Chobani says it also launched Mango & Cream Greek yogurt — a collaboration with Unstuck, an initiative from the New York-based Tent Partnership for Refugees — to help refugees find jobs. The collaboration drives jobs for refugees by sourcing mango from suppliers committed to employing Venezuelan refugees. People have fled Venezuela to escape violence, political repression and economic collapse.
“Our goal is to create a coalition of businesses — starting with food and beverage companies like Chobani, our pilot partner — that will make and sell Unstuck co-branded products. We want to bring more brands on board to help us make an even greater impact. The more Unstuck products we sell, the more ingredients brands source, the more job opportunities for refugees we help create,” said Nick O’Flaherty, director of Unstuck.
Chobani & Unstuck Mango & Cream Greek yogurt is sold nationally in four-packs of 5.3-ounce cups at a listed suggested retail price of $4.29, the companies say.
“This new product, while absolutely delicious, is innovative in its supply chain design. This is not a typical charity product. We are not making a donation, but instead the purchase of the product inherently provides jobs for refugees working at our fruit suppliers," said Niel Sandfort, chief innovation officer with Chobani.
