The Russian government has blocked Chobani’s efforts to get its yoghurts to Sochi for US Olympic athletes.
The firm, which is an official sponsor of the US Winter Olympic team, has had to call on US senator Charles Schumer of New York to negotiate with the Moscow to allow shipments into the country.
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According to a report in Huffington Post, at present shipments are being held up at Newark’s Liberty International Airport in New Jersey as they await “unattainable Russian Customs certifications”.
“Right now, 5,000 fresh single-serve cups of blueberry, strawberry and peach Chobani, and multi-serve containers of plain Chobani yogurt for smoothies, are being stored in a temperature-controlled facility, waiting for the final go-ahead from Russian authorities to be immediately transported. This is a time when the focus should be on our athletes, so we’re just trying to do right by them in getting food they enjoy from home,” said a statement issued by Chobani.
“We appreciate Senator Charles Schumer’s support of Team USA by helping us complete the delivery of Chobani Greek Yogurt to Sochi to naturally power our athletes all the way to the finish line-something we’ve had in the works for quite some time.”
Chobani is a sponsor of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams in Sochi for this Winter Games, which are set to start in the Russian city on Friday.
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