Lactalis, the world’s leading dairy company headquartered in France, is facing legal scrutiny in Colombia over allegations of illegally adding whey to milk. The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) has imposed fines totaling over 21 billion pesos on four companies, including Lactalis, despite the company’s denial of wrongdoing and claims of misinterpretation regarding naturally occurring milk proteins.
Lactalis, a France-based multinational and the world’s largest dairy company, is under legal pressure in Colombia following allegations of adding whey to whole milk—an act prohibited under the country’s food regulations. The claims, brought forward by Colombia’s Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), have led to fines exceeding 21 billion Colombian pesos against four companies, including Lactalis.
The controversy emerged after the SIC concluded that the presence of whey in milk products could suggest adulteration. However, Lactalis, through legal expert Pablo Felipe Robledo, argues that the presence of casein macropeptides (CMP)—used as an indicator of added whey—can occur naturally during milk storage, and therefore is not definitive proof of deliberate adulteration.
Robledo emphasized the lack of direct evidence or intention to violate food laws. “There is no technical basis to accuse Lactalis of unlawful practices,” he noted, adding that legitimate uses of whey, such as in the production of arequipe (a type of caramel spread), are being overlooked in the investigation.
As the proceedings continue, Lactalis is actively defending its operational integrity and adherence to Colombian food regulations. The company maintains that it has followed all compliance protocols and views the accusations as a ‘false positive’ that misrepresents standard dairy processing practices.
The outcome of this case may have broader implications for international dairy trade and regulatory practices in Latin America.
