Is Chobani Yogurt Vegan and Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Trying to figure out if Chobani Yogurt is vegan can be a bit tough.

Yogurt manufacturers often mask their products’ ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural flavors.” And even if they do provide a full list, you don’t always know how those ingredients were produced.

To make sure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Chobani Yogurt.

Here’s what I found.

Is Chobani Yogurt Vegan?

No. Chobani Yogurt is not a vegan product.

Chobani is a company that makes products that include dairy, including coffee, coffee creamer, milk, and yogurt products. Almost all of its products contain milk.

One exception was the company’s non-dairy blend of oat-based, plant-based yogurt, which was made with oat blends and natural and vegan-friendly synthetic ingredients. Sadly, this product has been discontinued. When I reached out for info, Chobani’s representative told me, “it did not fare as well as we had hoped.”

Furthermore, most of Chobani’s yogurts contain cane sugar, which, unless labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” is processed and filtered through an animal by-product called “bone char,” which is the ground-up bones of animals, such as cows and pigs.

So, if you’re vegan and looking for a dairy-free yogurt, Chobani has limited products for you.

Is Chobani Yogurt Cruelty Free?

Yes! Chobani is a cruelty-free product.

There is no testing on any animals during any part of the development or manufacturing process of Chobani products. In addition, Chobani yogurt does not contain ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors and flavors.

Animal testing is an unethical and outdated practice that all companies should abandon.

Chobani may not be vegan, but it is cruelty free. Thankfully, more and more companies are moving away from this inhumane testing and instead focusing on developing cruelty-free products.

What Is Chobani Yogurt Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Chobani Yogurt:

Cultured nonfat milk
Cane sugar
Water
Fruit pectin
Natural flavors
Guar gum
Locust bean gum
Vanilla extract
Lemon juice concentrate

Let’s break down each ingredient of Chobani Yogurt:

Cultured nonfat milk

Cultured nonfat milk is a type of milk that has been treated with bacteria to slightly sour it. Cultured nonfat milk is a non-vegan ingredient.

Cane sugar

Cane sugar is a type of sugar that is made from the juice of sugar cane. It is often used as a sweetener in food and beverages. Unless the sugar in the product is organic, raw, or unrefined, it’s best to assume it’s unsuitable for vegans.

Water

Water is a vegan ingredient used to thin out the yogurt.

Fruit pectin

Fruit pectin is a vegan ingredient that is used as a thickener. It is often made from apples or citrus fruits.

Natural flavors

Natural flavors are used to enhance the taste of food and beverages. They can be made from a variety of sources, including plant, animal, and microbial sources. Natural flavors may be vegan or not depending on their source.

Guar gum

Guar gum is often made from the seeds of the guar plant. It is used as a thickener. It is a vegan ingredient.

Locust bean gum

Locust bean gum is a type of gum that is made from the seeds of the carob tree. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier. It is a vegan ingredient.

Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is a flavoring made from vanilla beans. It is used as a flavoring agent and is a vegan ingredient.

Lemon juice concentrate

Lemon juice concentrate is made from lemon juice that has been concentrated and then reconstituted with water. It is used as a flavoring agent and is a vegan ingredient.

Why Isn’t Chobani Yogurt Vegan?

Chobani Yogurt isn’t vegan because it contains milk and sugar.

Milk is, of course, an animal product, and sugar is often processed with animal bone char to make it white. These two ingredients make up the majority of the product.

If you’re vegan and craving yogurt, you’re better off looking for a vegan brand that doesn’t use milk or sugar in its products.