Yoghurt Wars

I got the impression that the refusal of Russia to allow a shipment of Chobani yoghurt to be landed to feed the Olympic athletes to be yet another example of what our Media describes as Russian "attitude".

Yet, I read today in the Farm Journal site AgWeb:
http://www.agweb.com/article/russias_chobani_yogurt_embargo_indicative_of_bigger_problem_NAA_News_Release/

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) are calling on Russian authorities to end its country’s three-year embargo of U.S. dairy products. The groups’ call for action follows Russia’s refusal to accept a New York company’s Greek yogurt for consumption by U.S. athletes at the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
"This is yet another example of how Russia’s blockade of U.S. dairy products is harming U.S. companies," says Tom Suber, USDEC president.
Media reports have indicated that a large shipment of yogurt from Chobani was refused entry into Russia, even though the company is a major sponsor of the U.S. Olympic team. "Russia has turned a cold shoulder to many U.S. businesses trying to ship dairy products to Russia, despite our ample efforts during the past three years to prove their safety and quality. Reopening this market on a permanent basis would be a great benefit for U.S. companies and Russian consumers," says Suber...

So the ban has been in place for three years, it was not deemed worthy of the Media three ring circus before this, and US folks are working to prove the safety and quality.

If there's a safety question, what is it, and why am I eating the yoghurt?

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