February 20, 2026 — A consumer has reported finding a hard piece of plastic in a Chobani 20G Protein shake purchased from Costco, narrowly avoiding swallowing the foreign object. This incident raises concerns about product integrity and potential choking hazards.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On January 27, 2026, a consumer submitted an incident report detailing a disturbing discovery in a Chobani 20G Protein shake. The individual had purchased a case of these protein shakes from Costco. Upon consuming one of the bottles, a hard piece of plastic was found inside the shake. The report states that the consumer “almost swallowed it,” indicating the fragment was present in the liquid during consumption and posed an immediate ingestion risk. The precise size and nature of the plastic piece were not detailed in the report.
Safety Concerns
The presence of foreign objects, such as a hard piece of plastic, in food or beverage products like protein shakes, presents several significant safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The most immediate risk is choking, especially if the plastic piece is large enough to obstruct the airway. This is particularly dangerous for children or individuals who may not be able to react quickly. Even for adults, a sudden ingestion of an unexpected hard object can lead to choking or gagging.
- Internal Injuries: If ingested, a hard, sharp, or jagged piece of plastic could cause internal injuries. This might include cuts or punctures to the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Such injuries could lead to pain, bleeding, infection, or require medical intervention.
- Digestive Issues: Even if internal injury doesn’t occur, ingesting a foreign object can lead to digestive discomfort, blockages, or other complications as the body attempts to process or pass the material.
- Who Might Be Affected: While the incident involved an adult, the risk extends to anyone consuming the product. Given that protein shakes are popular among a wide demographic, including athletes and health-conscious individuals, the potential for harm is broad.
- Psychological Distress: Discovering a foreign object in food can cause significant psychological distress, leading to a loss of trust in the product and brand, and anxiety about future food consumption.
- Property Damage Potential: While less direct, compromised packaging leading to foreign objects could also indicate issues that might affect other products in a case, leading to spoilage or damage.
What Consumers Should Do
If you have purchased Chobani 20G Protein shakes, particularly from Costco, and are concerned about this incident, here are the recommended steps:
- Inspect Products Carefully: Before consuming, visually inspect the product for any signs of tampering or damage to the packaging. While internal contaminants are harder to spot, an initial inspection can sometimes reveal issues.
- Exercise Caution When Consuming: When drinking directly from the bottle, be mindful of any unusual textures or resistance. If you detect anything hard or unusual, immediately stop consuming the product.
- Do Not Consume Compromised Products: If you find any foreign object in your Chobani 20G Protein shake, or if the product appears compromised in any way, do not consume it.
- Preserve the Evidence: If you find a foreign object, carefully preserve the item, the product, and its packaging. This evidence is crucial for investigations.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Report your findings directly to Chobani, LLC. Provide them with details of the purchase, product codes (batch numbers, expiry dates), and photos or the preserved object if possible.
- Report to the CPSC: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC track incidents and identify potential widespread issues.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you or someone you know has ingested a foreign object or experienced any adverse health effects after consuming a product, seek immediate medical attention.
Manufacturer’s Response
The incident report indicates that the manufacturer, Chobani, LLC, has provided a response to this incident. While the specific nature of their response is not detailed in this report, the “Yes” noted suggests acknowledgment and likely engagement with the consumer regarding the reported issue.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.