Fonterra Requests Investigation Of A2 Claims

Fonterra Requests Investigation Of A2 Claims

Fonterra today said that it had asked the Commerce Commission and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority to investigate what it believes to be misleading claims made by A2 Corporation.

Chief Technology Officer, Dr Chris Mallett, said A2 milk, despite being marketed as "Just A2", contains A1 protein.

"This is a straightforward case of misleading the consumer about a product that is fundamental to the shopping list of every family."

"A2 Corporation claims that A2 milk is from 'cows that only produce the A2 protein', and it contains 'only the A2 variety of the protein family known as beta casein'. However, small print on the back of the packaging states that the A2 milk could contain A1. It does, in fact, contain A1. "The confusion is further compounded in the case of 'Trim A2' milk, as it contains other non-A2 milk proteins not referred to in the labelling.

"Consumers have a right to receive accurate information about the composition of the milk they are buying, and that is why we have asked the Commerce Commission and NZFSA to investigate."

Dr Mallett said the misleading labelling came on top of many months of irresponsible claims by A2 Corporation about the health effects of milk. "They have only served to scare people unnecessarily, and may result in people removing milk from their diet to the detriment of their overall health and well-being.

"Fonterra, like every other producer of milk in the world, stands by the wholesomeness and nutritional value of milk.

"Fonterra agrees with statements by regulatory authorities, such as Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, who have consistently said that milk should 'continue to be regarded as a safe and nutritious component of the diet for most people'", Dr Mallett concluded.

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