Miyoko Schinner, founder of vegan dairy brand Miyoko’s Creamery, is publicly distancing herself from the company following the recall of its European Style Salted Plant Milk Butter over potential E. coli contamination. In an Instagram video posted today, Schinner is asking the company to stop using her name, emphasizing that she has had no involvement with the business for more than four years.
“Hey, Miyoko’s Creamery, can you just stop calling yourselves Miyoko’s Creamery?” she says in the video. “I want people to know that I have nothing to do with what’s going on right now with your tainted products.”
Schinner also addressed the recall directly in the comments of VegNews’ Instagram coverage, saying that food safety was a priority under her leadership. “We had strict food safety policies when I was there. All products were held in the warehouse until fully tested for everything. Nothing was released before then,” she wrote. “Have no idea what Prosperity Foods is doing now, but it’s hurting my name.”
Instagram
Miyoko Schinner Says namesake brand has lost its way
In her video, Schinner remarked on the company’s direction since her departure, alleging that product formulas and ingredient quality have changed. She also recounted being removed from the company, subsequent legal disputes over intellectual property, and the eventual sale of the business.
Schinner founded Miyoko’s Creamery in 2014 but was removed from her leadership position in 2022. After the company entered liquidation in 2025, she attempted to buy it back but was outbid by Prosperity Organic Foods, the company behind Melt Organic plant butter, which acquired the brand.
“You may have my trademark, but you do not have my name, my spirit, my soul, or my ethics,” Schinner said. “So why don’t you just change the name, please? I’m asking you.”
Reddit | Vast-Iron9746
Customers report moldy Miyoko’s Creamery butter
The official recall also follows months of online customer complaints about product quality. In a Reddit post shared last June, one customer documented opening a newly purchased tub of Miyoko’s butter to find visible mold inside. The customer said they had driven 30 minutes to purchase the product after hearing the brand was returning and advertising its original recipe.
Other commenters in the discussion described additional quality concerns, including a report of butter leaking oil from its packaging and another customer who said they had encountered mold in the brand’s cream cheese previously. These anecdotal reports predate the current recall and do not establish a connection to the affected lot.
Miyoko’s Creamery
Miyoko’s Creamery responds to recall backlash
Meanwhile, Miyoko’s Creamery addressed public criticism on Instagram, saying it voluntarily recalled a specific lot of European Style Salted Butter after testing identified a potential food-safety concern. The company said it worked with retail partners and regulatory authorities to remove affected products from shelves.
“We’re committed to earning that trust through transparency, product quality and what we put on shelves every day,” the statement continued.
The recall affects more than 1,300 cases of butter distributed across 10 states. The FDA classified it as a Class II recall on October 23, indicating that exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences.
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