Kimi Yoshino just reported in the LA Times a lawsuit by L.A. resident Bryan Williams who contends that the powdered mix which Pinkberry uses in their dessert does not contain "good" bacteria cultures typically found in yogurt. Also, as defined by California's Food and Agriculture, Pinkberry cannot technically be classified as "frozen yogurt" because they mix their product in-store. (Apparently, the state requires frozen yogurt to be mixed off-site for reasons I'm unsure of.)
So okay, technically, Pinkberry may not be frozen yogurt in the eyes of California state law. The owner seems to have conceded to that much. But if this guy is accusing Pinkberry of not even using yogurt ...well, then he's gonna have a lot of 'splaining to do, unless I've suddenly been cured of lactose intolerance.
I mean, even though in my eyes Pinkberry has become yesterday's dessert I'll still stop by every now and then to have some because it's tasty and easy to digest.
No, actually let me just put it this way. If something contains even half a cup of milk I will succumb to gas and other things I will leave to your imagination. Yogurt, on the other hand, contains slightly less lactose, but more importantly includes the "good" bacteria called lactobacillus, helping to break down that which produces gas. It's what gives yogurt that sour taste.
I've been lactose intolerant for the past ten years so I've come to learn what makes my tummy ache. Pinkberry isn't one of them. And at times, it's actually relieved me of stomach pains after a dairy-heavy dinner. So if Pinkberry doesn't contain yogurt, well, I'll be very puzzled.
Because of this lawsuit, Pinkberry may be forced to reveal how they make their dessert drug. This could get interesting...
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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16 comments:
The rumor is that Pinkberry uses a powder mix from Italy, that does not contain any Yogurt. May all your secrets be revealed. It'll be interesting whatever happens.
I do like Pinkberry but I hope they have some yo to go with their fro.
Pinkberry is good, I don't know if it's fake but last weekend I tasted even better Frozen yogurt than Pinkberry, at a chain in Niagara Falls Canada called Yogen Fruz. Apparently Yogen Fruz actually has fro to go with their yo. Let's hope they also come to America.
Fro-yo near Niagara falls? heheh sounds like an adventure.
Wouldn't Pinkberry not hurt your tummy if it didn't have any milk product in it at all? Like if it was sour-yogurt-flavored ice water and not actually yogurt?
I really don't think Pinkberry has any yogurt in it. I really enjoyed it at first, but then realized that after eating it on several occasions, my mouth would feel dehydrated and filmy. Anyone else get that?
Hi Nancy, yeah, it seems this lawsuit has gotten everyone speculating about what exactly goes into Pinkberry. Since it's left to everyone's imagination it seems a lot of people are thinking the worst. Today, my friend was like "What if it's cancer-causing!?"
I actually don't get the aftereffect you've experienced. Sounds like MSG~ =P
I'm waiting for Frogen Yozurt to come back to Southern California...
They should just say that the secret of Pinkberry is that they pour in one bottle of Yakult into every gallon mystery mixture of Pinkberry "Frozen Yogurt" Flavored Dessert.
I'm showing my age - but doesn't anyone remember the TONS of frozen yogurt shops that covered LA in the late 80's and early 90's? This is not a new craze.
I've yet to have pinkberry but I have very fond memories of Penguins cheesecake yogurt. Very yummy and you even got crushed graham crackers with it!
does this whole lawsuit strike anyone as utterly silly ?
requesting them to change logo and business name ?
uhhhh "Jack in the box" does not sell boxes with jacks in them... maybe we should sue them to change their name.
I think its a stunt to promote pinkberry even more... it seems to be working.
this whole mystery must do wonders for their advertising
Yeah, actually the rumor is that this was a mudslinging plot by Red Mango which opens in Westwood this month. We'll see...
hmmmm...my lactose intolerant self was looking forward to some nice, no side-effect, frozen yogurt at pinkberry. sadly, after trying it twice, it has not gone over well. i'll save you from the gory details! plus, that stuff is damned overpriced and not worth the hype. i'm heading back to 21 choices!
As another lactose intolerant, I can safely say there IS yogurt in Pinkberry. If any of you have ever watched it melt rather than eating it immediately, you'll notice that it seperates...like how a cup of yogurt looks when you open it up (prior to mixing it around). It seperates JUST like any other yogurt (why else do we always see the employees having to stir the yogurt in the machines?) and it doesn't make me in pain like their shaved ice can (due to the condensed milk). Common sense, less hype!
Pinkberry or PinkScary
It’s Candy in a cup…
One 13-ounce large size has 65 grams of sugar. That’s 16 teaspoons of sugar and 300 calories in just the yogurt.
One 8-ounce medium size has 40 grams of sugar, which equals 10 teaspoons of sugar for 200 calories.
The sugary toppings like white chocolate add even more sugar and fat.
Pinkberry has refused to release the ingredients in their yogurt. Why, if it’s just yogurt?
Just the Facts
With audacious and sometimes frivolous claims of false advertising it seems like to me a company would add a word to make their claim alright. The examples I have in mind are substitute, imitation, etc etc.
Pinkberry doesn't utilize any of such words for good reason, it's a genuine product. As a Pinkberry employee I can attest that Pinkberry is in fact made from non fat yogurt and non fat milk, just as is described when you ask anyone else who knows what it's made of.
In the Army helicopter mechanics are also pilots. I say this because of Nancy's post before me. If she believes that it's truly made from no milk at all she wouldn't be shy to leave it out for a couple of days and eat it later. However, I reiterate, it's made of exactly what is described and thus I wouldn't recommend actually performing this test of faith =P
I work at a Pinkberry and we as "team members" make the yogurt. It is literally made with nonfat yogurt and nonfat milk, as the person above me mentioned. I can assure you after watching an hour and a half of training, Pinkberry is very concerned with the authenticity of their product.
Pinkberry is just cold yogurt. I would eat it again but I wouldn't wait in a line.
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