What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Its Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Buddhika Pathirana told Parliament two weeks ago that instead of 100% natural milk, the respective imports from New Zealand were suspected of containing mainly animal fat extracted from pigs and cattle, plus palm oil and lactose.
But the 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.
Gamlath told a news conference in Colombo that a certificate issued by Minister of Primary Industries Damien O’Connor proved that milk ingredients are derived only from animals of New Zealand origin.
Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne also denied all allegations made against Fonterra by his colleague.
The co-op says it is aware of misinformation recently shared in Sri Lanka.
