Whole Foods to phase out Chobani Greek Yogurt to make room for non-GMO options

(http://www.nytimes.com) Whole Foods Market announced earlier this year that they would require all foods sold in their stores with genetically modified ingredients to be properly labeled as such by 2018. But now, new reports indicate that, instead, they may begin phasing out GMO foods to make room for organic, non-GMO products.

This news came as the retailer said that it would start removing Chobani Greek Yogurt from its stores in early 2014. Whole Foods' decision is reportedly due to the use of GMOs as feed for Chobani's dairy cows.

Robin Kelly, a spokeswoman for Whole Foods, said the company had asked all of its Greek yogurt suppliers to devise new products and flavors that would distinguish what Whole Foods offers. "We are always evolving our product mix to make sure we are meeting our shoppers' needs, and in this case with Greek-style yogurt we are making room for more organic and non-G.M.O." options, she said, as reported by the New York Times.

"At this time, Chobani has chosen a different business model, so Whole Foods Market will be phasing Chobani Greek Yogurt out of its stores in early 2014 to make room for product choices that aren't readily available on the market," a statement released by the company said.

Hamdi Ulukaya, who founded Chobani Greek Yogurt in 2005, said that, due to the pervasiveness of GM grains in the United States, it is difficult for farmers to be able to find non-GMO feed that they can use economically.