Graeme Brown, CEO of Klondyke Fresh, says as the last independent supplier of fluid milk to the South Island, we are committed to delivering only the freshest, tastiest, purest milk to our local communities.

"Companies which adulterate their milk with permeate are cutting production costs, but undermine the nutritional quality of their product.

"Permeate is high in lactose – the sugar component of milk – and its addition decreases the nutritional benefit of what should be a great, healthy source of protein.

"Klondyke Fresh delivers the maximum protein from the cow, without adding unnecessary additives such as the snot-like permeate.

"Adding permeate not only denatures the milk and degrades the taste, it artificially boosts the level of carbohydrates people are consuming.

"Klondyke Fresh does not, and will not, water down its product with permeate. Our milk is high-quality, containing all the protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals given by the cows that made it."

Brown says more transparency is needed around milk processing.

"Watering down milk with permeate may be legal, but it offers no benefit to the end consumer. People should have a right to know what's in their milk, and how it's been processed.

"Milk does not just contain milk any more. Additives should be required to be disclosed on the label, so consumers can choose whether they want pure, natural milk, or a cheap, adulterated alternative," he says.