Greenwash Allegations Persist as Fonterra Sells Brands to Lactalis

Following the announcement that Fonterra has sold its consumer brands to French dairy company Lactalis for $3.845 billion NZD, Greenpeace remains committed to pursuing its anti-greenwash lawsuit. Central to the lawsuit is Fonterra's Anchor Butter packaging, which Greenpeace alleges falsely claims to be "100% New Zealand grass-fed." According to Greenpeace spokesperson Sinead Deighton-O’Flynn, up to 20% of the diet for Fonterra's dairy cows includes palm kernel imported from Southeast Asia, contributing to rainforest destruction. Despite Fonterra distancing itself from Anchor products, the lawsuit will proceed.

Deighton-O’Flynn emphasizes that the cost of Anchor Butter extends beyond supermarket prices. "Fonterra charges a premium for their ‘grass-fed’ butter," she states, highlighting the impact on Southeast Asian rainforests cleared for palm kernel production. Greenpeace criticizes Fonterra not only for its overseas environmental impact but also for domestic ecological issues, citing the dairy giant's role in polluting New Zealand lakes and rivers.

Greenpeace argues that Fonterra's practices harm local environments and public health, as intensive dairying leads to high nitrate levels in drinking water. The organization asserts that while New Zealanders pay a premium for these products, the environmental and social costs are considerable.