Russia Won't Let Team USA Receive Its Shipment Of Chobani Yogurt

"With the Sochi Olympic Games starting at the end of this week, there is simply no time to waste in getting our Olympic athletes and employees a nutritious and delicious breakfast – Chobani Greek Yogurt," Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

By
Adrian Carrasquillo
by Adrian Carrasquillo

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Heading into the Olympics, Russia has drawn ire for its anti-LGBT laws, been criticized for cracking down on activists and journalists, and been faulted for its unpreparedness. The latest travesty: Denying Team USA a shipment of Chobani yogurt.

The Russian federation's federal service for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance has yet to allow the yogurt, which is currently being stored in a warehouse at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, to be delivered to Russia.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said U.S. Olympians need their New York-made Greek yogurt.

Mark Blinch / Reuters

"With the Sochi Olympic Games starting at the end of this week, there is simply no time to waste in getting our Olympic athletes and employees a nutritious and delicious breakfast – Chobani Greek Yogurt," Schumer said in a statement to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

In a letter to Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Schumer called the situation an "urgent issue."

Pool / Reuters

"The Russian Federation should accept the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s AMS sanitary certificate for a one-time non-commercial shipment of Chobani Greek yogurt to U.S. athletes and staff," he wrote.

Chobani told BuzzFeed they are an Olympic sponsor and an authentic part of Team USA training regimens.

Schumer went on to say that he understands the need for food safety standards for dairy products, but the U.S. government has confirmed the yogurt will be safe for consumption by American citizens at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Pawel Kopczynski / Reuters

"As the world looks forward to a successful 2014 Winter Olympics, I urge your country's immediate approval of the entry of this shipment of Chobani Greek yogurt," he concluded.

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