This one I actually bought and ate like a year ago, but then kind of forgot about. Fortunately, I saved my notes and the box, so we're good. I was intrigued because it was yogurt that didn't need to be refrigerated--it was just on the shelf with the canned fruit and veggies. Specifically this was Gogo Squeez Yogurtz, the berry flavor, from Materne. Materne also has a North American branch, but since the overall company is French, and the yogurt itself was made in France, I'm just calling it "French yogurt."
This company's roots are fairly old. Back in 1881, a factory that processed applesauce and purees was started in Boue, France, by unidentified persons. This company was called Confiturerie de la Thierache. In 1922 Edouard (some sources say "Edmund") Materne bought this company, and changed its name to his surname. Company-wise Materne joined with the Danone Group in 1983, and then with the dessert company Mont-Blanc in 2006 to form the MOM Group. And in 2016 it joined the French Group BEL. As far as products go, Materne markets a bunch of different fruits and vegetables, along with sweet desserts, and savory edibles like humus, chutney, curry, and pesto. Gogo Squeez is their pouched product line--fruit pouches (mostly apple-based), dairy pouches (the yogurts), organic pouches (same as the previous two, only organic, obviously), and plant-based puddings (made with almonds as the base, and coming in vanilla, banana, and chocolate flavors). They also proudly note that their products are free of GMOs, nuts, gluten, added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and "questionable" colors and flavors.* Their wares are suitable for vegans, and are kosher. Their containers are free of BPA, and are involved with the Terracycle recycling business. Finally, if you're wondering how the yogurt doesn't need refrigeration (until it's opened), but lacks preservatives, as I was, the secret is reportedly an additional heating step. Or another round of pasteurization, I guess.
Gogo Squeez Yogurtz, berry flavor: The pouches were 85 grams (3 ounces) each, and four were in the box. The color was an off-white. The pouch itself was squeezable, clearly, and easy to open and operate. The taste was decent, and recognizably a berry one. A solid yogurt overall, with a slightly thicker texture than most yogurts I've had. I thought this was a neat idea and concept--portable yogurt, that doesn't need to be put in the fridge, and doesn't require a spoon. True, it does need the fridge if you open it, but the pouches are small enough that I doubt too many people can't finish one in one sitting anyway. So it's a fun techie spin on a common snack. Alas, I got this at an alternate Shop-Rite, and my local one doesn't stock it, so I don't know when I'll be having it again. But I definitely recommend it to folks who like yogurt.
* I found this designation of "questionable" to be odd. I get that Materne surely avoids artificial flavors and colors, to fit their whole "natural is awesome" vibe, but why not just say no "artificial flavors or colors"? Unless the DO use some artificial ones, but just the ones they think aren't sleazy and illegitimate flavors and colors or something? I know I'm almost certainly overthinking a single word in a bland product description, but it sticks out awkwardly to me. Oh well.
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