Dairy product manufacturer
World's largest dairy company with 237 production sites in 43 countries. Founded in 1933 by Andre Besnier; his descendants still own and oversee the company.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Sep 2025)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Lactalis Group SA
Praise
Criticism
Information
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 4 Feb 2025).
Source: WAZA
(2025)
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2024, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP
(2024)
0.1% in BMS Marketing Index
The BMS Marketing Index 2024 assesses how well companies making breast-milk substitutes (BMS) are following international guidelines for marketing their products. The Index aims to ensure marketing practices don't discourage breastfeeding. This company scored 0.1%. The highest score was 37% and the average score was a disappointing 10%.
0/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 0/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index 2024 assessed 30 of the world's largest food and beverage manufacturers on their performance to improve access to nutritious foods. Companies are assessed on the nutritional quality of their product portfolios in 25 global markets, plus policies, practices, and transparency relating to nutrition. Of the 30 companies ranked, this company came last.
1% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 1 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
4.4% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #279/350, with a total score of 4.4/100.
4.3% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #654/816, with a total score of 4.3/100.
3.2% in methane scorecard
The livestock sector is the single largest contributor to man-made methane emissions. Even though rapid reductions of methane emissions are needed to slow the rate of global warming, the largest meat and dairy corporations are oblivious to the problem. Changing Markets' 2021 report 'Blindspot' investigated the policies and actions of 20 meat and dairy giants to reduce their methane emissions. This company scored 3.2/100 for their methane policy and actions.
Source: Changing Markets
(2021)
27.8% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies and annually assesses the 500 companies and 150 financial institutions most exposed to deforestation risk in their supply chains and investments on the strength and implementation of their commitments on deforestation and human rights. This company received a score of 27.8%.
Source: Forest 500
(2024)
Water pollution
In 2010 US-based Lactalis subsidiary Sorrento Lactalis paid the United States a $315,000 penalty for excess discharges in violation of its wastewater permit levels. The company discharged the excess pollutants into Mason Creek from its factory operations in Nampa, Idaho, in violation of the Clean Water Act. The company repeatedly violated its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit over a period of three years from December 2005 to September 2008.
Source: EPA
(2010)
Soy scorecard 2016 - WWF
This company received a score of 2 out of a possible total of 24 in the WWF Soy Scorecard 2016, which rates companies on their use of responsible soy, grown without damaging the environment and harming people. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: WWF Soy Scorecard 2016
(2016)
Irresponsible BMS marketing
This company is named and shamed in IBFAN's 2017 report, 'Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2017', evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS), compiled from June 2014 to June 2017. The report covers 792 Code violations from 79 countries and by 28 companies. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: IBFAN
(2017)
Joint venture with Nestle
Lactalis and Nestle created a dairy products joint venture in 2006 called Lactalis Nestle Chilled Dairy, which operates in nine European countries. Nestle is the target of a boycott call.
Source: company website
(2006)
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'middle of the pack' with a score of 12.98 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard
(2024)
Tier 4 in farm animal welfare rankings
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranks global food companies on their farm animal welfare policies, practices and performance. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW
(2023)
Underpaying dairy farmers in France
Five hundred French dairy farmers are to take Lactalis to court over the price they were paid in 2014 for their milk.
Source: news article
(2015)
Company Details
Type:
Family-owned private company
Founded:
1933
Revenue:
29.5 billion EUR
(2023)
Employees:
75,000
(2025)
Subsidiaries:
Lactalis Australia Ltd
Dairy product manufacturing
This Australian dairy company became foreign owned in 1998 when Italian dairy giant Parmalat bought Pauls Ltd. Parmalat was acquired by French dairy giant Lactalis in 2011, and Parmalat Australia changed its name to Lactalis Australia in 2019. Acquired Lemnos Foods in 2010, Jindi cheese in 2012, Harvey Fresh in 2014, Tamar Valley Dairy in 2016, and Jalna in 2022.
Harvey Fresh (1994) Pty Ltd
Beverages manufacturing
Western Australian based juice and dairy company. Bought the assets of Challenge Australia Dairy in 2011. Acquired by Parmalat in April 2014 for $120m.
Tamar Valley Dairy Pty Ltd
Dairy company
Founded in Tasmania in 1996. Entered voluntary administration in Sept 2013 and acquired by Fonterra in Nov 2013, who sold the business to Parmalat in Dec 2015.
Jalna Dairy Foods Pty Ltd
Yoghurt manufacturer
Founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman, who sold the business to the McLaren family in 1978 for $350,000. In 2022 French dairy giant Lactalis acquired the yoghurt business. Jalna has a 12 per cent market share of yoghurt in Australia, with most of their sales through Coles and Woolworths.
Jindi Cheese Pty Ltd
Cheese manufacturers
Jindi was founded in 1985 by the Ronald family before being acquired in 2005 by its distribution company, Menora Foods, which sold the business in 2012 to French dairy giant Lactalis for $20 million.
Lemnos Foods Pty Ltd
Cheese maker
Lemnos Foods is the leading manufacturer of Fetta and Haloumi cheese in Australia. Established in Australia in 1969 and acquired by French dairy giant Lactalis in 2010. Exports to about 40 countries worldwide.
Parmalat SpA
Food and beverages (especially dairy)
The company was restructured in 2005 to aid recovery from the 14 billion euro fraud uncovered in 2003. French dairy giant Lactalis became majority owners in 2011.
Bel SA
(24% owned)
Cheese makers
Formerly Fromageries Bel SA.
Bel Brands Australia Pty Ltd
Cheese distribution
Bel Groupe opened its Australian subsidiary in November 2024, taking over the national distribution of Bel cheese products.
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Lactalis Australia
Alula
Baby Formula
Breaka
Flavoured Milk
Farmhouse Gold
Yoghurt
Farmhouse Gold
Custard & Desserts
Farmhouse Gold
Milk
Harvey Fresh
Juice & Fruit Drinks
Harvey Fresh
Milk
Ice Break
Flavoured Milk
Jindi
Cheese
Lemnos
Cheese
Milky Max
Flavoured Milk
Milky Max
Custard & Desserts
Milky Max
Yoghurt
Oak
Flavoured Milk
Pauls
Cream
Pauls
Custard & Desserts
Pauls
Milk
Pauls
Yoghurt
Pauls
Flavoured Milk
PhysiCal
Milk
President
Cheese
President
Butter & Margarine
Rev
Milk
Rush
Flavoured Milk
Skinny Milk
Milk
SMA
Baby Formula
Smarter White
Milk
Tamar Valley
Yoghurt
Vaalia
Custard & Desserts
Vaalia
Yoghurt
Zymil
Flavoured Milk
Zymil
Custard & Desserts
Zymil
Cream
Zymil
Milk
Milo
Custard & Desserts
Jalna
Yoghurt
★ some products certified organic