(UTV|COLOMBO) – Fonterra has denied allegations that some of their milk products sold in Sri Lanka contain animal fats, www.tvnz.co.nz reported.
In a statement Fonterra says, “We are aware of misinformation recently shared in Sri Lanka. These claims are completely false and we have reassured our customers that all our products are safe and contain only what is listed on the ingredients label.
“Our milk powder meets the highest food safety and quality standards and is independently tested by both the New Zealand and Sri Lanka Governments.”
Overnight Sri Lanka’s Deputy Director General for Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Food Safety at Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry Dr. Lakshman Gamlath said the claims were baseless.
Speaking at a news conference in Colombo, he claimed a certificate issued by Minister of Primary Industries Damien O’Connor proved that milk ingredients only derived from animals of New Zealand origin.
He also stated there were no pigs in New Zealand from where the alleged fats could have originated.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Buddhika Pathirana told Parliament two-weeks ago that instead of 100 per cent natural milk, the respective imports from New Zealand were suspected of containing mainly animal fat extracted from pigs and cattle, along with palm oil and lactose.
Pathirana said complaints had been made to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), and alleged that it was not possible for New Zealand, based on their capacity, to cater to the full milk demand of Sri Lanka.
Fonterra sell Anchor, Red Cow, Newdale, Raththi, Pedia Pro, and Anlene brands to the Sri Lankan market.
They recently denied claims made by Legislators that Fonterra products contain pork fat.
Minister Rajitha Senaratne also denied all allegations against dairy company Fonterra made by Pathira.
[alert color=”faebcc” icon=”fa-commenting”]Keeping up to date with breaking news while you are on the move is now simple with UTV Alerts [textmarker color=”8a6d3b”]Type REG UTV and send to 77000[/textmarker] on your Dialog, Airtel, or Hutch mobile connection[/alert]