{{short description|French multinational dairy products corporation}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox company | name = Groupe Lactalis S.A. | logo = Lactalis2023Logo.svg | caption = | type = Private | trade_name = Lactalis | former_name = Besnier S.A. | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | founded = {{start date and age|df=y|1933|10|19}} | founder = André Besnier | defunct = | hq_location_city = Laval, Mayenne | hq_location_country = France | num_locations = | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Emmanuel Besnier (CEO) | industry = Dairy products | products = Cheese, butter, milk | services = | revenue = {{increase}} $34.1bn (2024)<ref>https://www.just-food.com/news/lactalis-revenue-rises-above-e30bn-but-profits-hit-by-french-tax-agreement/</ref> | operating_income = | net_income = {{increase}} €428 million (2023) | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = Besnier family via Belgian holding company BSA International SA | num_employees = 85,000 | parent = | divisions = | subsidiaries = Lactalis-Nestlé Fresh Products <br>Lactalis Nestle Chilled Dairy Co. Ltd.<br>Lactalis Midwest Yogurt<br>Kraft Natural Cheese<br>Siggi's Dairy<br>Stonyfield Farm<br> Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti | website = {{URL|lactalis.com/}} | footnotes = | intl = }} '''Groupe Lactalis S.A.''' (doing business as '''Lactalis''') is a French multinational dairy products corporation, owned by the Besnier family and based in Laval, Mayenne, France.<ref name="Euromonitor 2000"/> The company's former name was '''Besnier S.A.''' until 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 1999 |title=Besnier change de nom et devient Lactalis |url=https://fresques.ina.fr/mayenne/fiche-media/MAYENN00031/besnier-change-de-nom-et-devient-lactalis.html |website=INA |language=fr}}</ref>
Lactalis is the largest dairy products group in the world, and first milk seller in France.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2022 |title=Comment Lactel veut rester leader du lait en France |url=https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/comment-lactel-veut-rester-leader-du-lait-en-france.N1798727 |website=L'Usine Nouvelle |language=fr}}</ref> It owns brands such as Parmalat, Président, Kraft Natural Cheese, Siggi's Dairy, Skånemejerier, Rachel's Organic, and Stonyfield Farm.<ref>[http://groupelactalis.co.uk/companies-and-brands.html Lactalis UK website. "Companies and Brands".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410183306/http://groupelactalis.co.uk/companies-and-brands.html |date=10 April 2018 }}<!--accessed:6 September 2013--></ref> It also markets Yoplait products in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Mills Sells North American Yogurt Business {{!}} Food Engineering|url=https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/articles/103062-general-mills-sells-north-american-yogurt-business|access-date=2026-05-06|website=www.foodengineeringmag.com|language=en}}</ref>
As of 2020, Lactalis employs approximately 85,000 people in 51 countries and 266 plants around the world. In the same year, net sales amounted to €21.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2021 |title=Lactalis anticipe un prix du lait au plus haut en France en 2021 |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/conso-distribution/lactalis-anticipe-un-prix-du-lait-au-plus-haut-en-france-en-2021-1316066 |website=lesechos.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2021 |title=Bel and Lactalis enter exclusive talks to sell Leerdammer |url=https://www.efanews.eu/en/item/17829-bel-and-lactalis-enter-exclusive-talks-to-sell-leerdammer.html |website=efanews.eu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Lactalis rachète les fromages de Kraft Heinz |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/2020-09-15/lactalis-rachete-les-fromages-de-kraft-heinz.php |website=lapresse.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2021 |title=Parmalat Debuts a Game-Changing New Dairy Spread – Nata |url=https://perishablenews.com/dairy/parmalat-debuts-a-game-changing-new-dairy-spread-nata/ |website=perishablenews.com}}</ref>
==History== thumb|Galbani mozzarella with cherry tomatoes. André Besnier started a small cheesemaking company in 1933 and launched its ''Président'' brand of Camembert in 1968. In 1990, it acquired Group Bridel (2,300 employees, 10 factories, fourth-largest French dairy group) with a presence in 60 countries. In 1992, it acquired United States cheese company Sorrento. In 1999, ''la société Besnier'' became ''le groupe Lactalis'' owned by Belgian holding company BSA International SA. The group was then number one in the sector in Europe, dealing with more than 6.6 billion liters per year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2018 |title=Lactalis, une PME familiale devenue géant mondial, en toute discrétion |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2018/01/lactalis-une-pme-familiale-devenue-geant-mondial-en-toute-discretion-981791 |website=lesechos.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2022 |title=Emmanuel Besnier, PDG de Lactalis, au JDD : « Il faut repenser notre modèle alimentaire » |url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Economie/emmanuel-besnier-pdg-de-lactalis-au-jdd-il-faut-repenser-notre-modele-alimentaire-4096256 |website=lejdd.fr}}</ref> In 2006, they bought Italian group Galbani, and in 2008, bought Swiss cheesemaker Baer. They bought Italian group Parmalat in a 2011 2.5B € takeover after its bankruptcy and have since sought to delist it. In 2013, the Sorrento and Precious brands in the US were renamed Galbani, and the Sorrento Lactalis division was renamed Lactalis American Group.
In 2006, the company formed a joint venture<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2006 |title=Mergers: Commission approves planned creation of joint venture by Lactalis and Nestlé |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_06_1214 |website=European Commission}}</ref> with Nestlé, Lactalis-Nestlé Fresh Products.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Naissance d'un nouveau géant des produits laitiers frais, LNPF |url=https://www.lsa-conso.fr/naissance-d-un-nouveau-geant-des-produits-laitiers-frais-lnpf,48457 |website=lsa-conso.fr}}</ref>
In 2007, the French Institut National des Appellations d'Origine, which administers AOC (''L'appellation d'origine contrôlée'') designations for French food products, refused to permit Lactalis and the dairy cooperative, Isigny-Sainte-Mère, to sell pasteurized Camembert as "true Camembert". As of 2007, these two companies represented between 80 and 90% of Normandy Camembert sales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/7989/Dairy/France/french_squabble_camemberts_raw_milk_recipe.html|title=Flex-news-food.com}}</ref> During that same year, it acquired the Croatian dairy company Dukat. In 2018, the INAO announced it would relax restrictions and create a new designation to include pasteurized Camembert in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180618-the-end-to-a-french-cheese-tradition|title=The end to a French cheese tradition?|last=Monaco|first=Emily|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref>
In 2012, Lactalis acquired the Swedish company Skånemejerier for 113 million euros.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2012 |title=Lactalis paie son entrée en Suède 113 millions d'euros |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2012/01/lactalis-paie-son-entree-en-suede-113-millions-deuros-349320 |website=lesechos.fr}}</ref>
In May 2015, Lactalis acquired an 80% stake in Turkish dairy Ak Gida, a subsidiary of Yıldız Holding.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dairyreporter.com/Manufacturers/Lactalis-set-to-enter-thriving-Turkish-dairy-sector-through-Ak-Gida-deal |title=Lactalis set to enter thriving Turkish dairy sector through Ak Gida deal |publisher=dairyreporter.com | date=7 May 2015 | accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unluco.com/web/16-854-1-1/en/news/press_releases/ak_gida |title=AK GIDA |publisher=unluco.com |accessdate=14 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022600/http://www.unluco.com/web/16-854-1-1/en/news/press_releases/ak_gida |archive-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/yildiz-holding-sells-dairy--unit-to-french-food-giant-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=82048&NewsCatID=345 |title=Yıldız Holding sells dairy unit to French food giant |work=Hürriyet Daily News | date=6 May 2015 | accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.foodbev.com/news/lactalis-acquires-turkish-dairy-producer-ak-gida/ |title=Lactalis acquires Turkish dairy producer Ak Gıda |publisher=Foodbev.com | date=6 May 2015 | accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref>
In July 2017 it was announced that Groupe Danone had agreed to sell its Stonyfield Farm subsidiary to Lactalis for $875 Million<ref>{{cite news| url=http://fortune.com/2017/07/05/danone-sells-stonyfield-lactalis/| title=Danone's Stonyfield Sale Is the Latest Twist in the Yogurt Wars| author=Beth Kowitt | work=Fortune| access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> to avoid anti-trust claims and to clear the way for Danone's acquisition of U.S. organic food producer WhiteWave Foods.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/31/danone-to-sell-stonyfield-unit-as-part-of-whitewave-deal.html| title=Danone to sell Stonyfield unit as part of WhiteWave deal| date=31 March 2017| agency=Reuters| publisher=CNBC| access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref>
In December 2017, Lactalis announced the acquisition of dairy company Itambé.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-itamb-m-a-lactalis/frances-lactalis-to-acquire-brazil-dairy-brand-itamb-idUSKBN1DZ2P9|title=France's Lactalis to pay $600 million for Brazil's Itambé: source|date=5 December 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>
In January 2018, Lactalis announced it had agreed to purchase the skyr producer Siggi's Dairy, which will continue to be run independently.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2018/01/05/siggi_s_skyr_sold_to_french_dairy_company/|title=Siggi's skyr sold to French dairy company|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref>
In October 2018, Lactalis announced the acquisition of Nestlé Malaysia's chilled dairy business unit for approximately $40 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-m-a-lactalis/lactalis-buys-nestle-malaysias-chilled-dairy-business-in-40-million-deal-idUSKCN1MJ0QF|title=Lactalis buys Nestle Malaysia's chilled dairy business in $40 million deal|work=Reuters|access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref>
Lactalis's Indian subsidiary Tirumala Milk Products said that it would acquire Prabhat's dairy business for ₹17 Billion. This will be Lactalis's third acquisition in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/market/stocks/prabhat-dairy-to-sell-dairy-business-to-lactalis-for-rs-1700-crore-stock-soars-20-2032551.htm|title=This dairy stock has jumped 20% in trade today. Here's why|website=cnbctv18.com|date=22 January 2019}}</ref>
On 15 September 2020, Groupe Lactalis announced an agreement to acquire Kraft Heinz's natural cheese operations in North America and internationally for $3.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Alistair |last2=Fontanella-Khan |first2=James |last3=Abboud |first3=Leila |date=15 September 2020 |title=Kraft Heinz sells parts of cheese business for $3.2bn |website=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9ed9d066-2815-490b-b7ea-2f6c3700a019 |access-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> The U.S. Department of Justice ruled that Lactalis must divest the Athenos and Polly-O cheese brands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-requires-divestitures-lactalis-s-acquisition-kraft-heinz-s-natural-cheese|title=Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Lactalis's Acquisition of Kraft Heinz's Natural Cheese Business in the United States|date=10 November 2021}}</ref>
In April 2023, Lactalis American Group announced an investment of $32 million to construct a new whey-processing facility in South Buffalo, boosting its production of the ingredient by 30%.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Lactalis pursues $32M expansion for added whey production |work=The Buffalo News |url=https://buffalonews.com/business/local/lactalis-pursues-32m-expansion-for-added-whey-production-buff-sci-plans-24m-high-school/article_4c6b7880-d3f5-11ed-aa5b-b3d38dceb31f.html |access-date=April 10, 2023}}</ref>
In September 2024, Lactalis Group announced the acquisition of General Mills' US yogurt business to expand its yogurt business in the United States market, pending regulatory approval.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/26795-lactalis-group-adding-scale-with-yogurt-acquisition |title=Lactalis Group adding scale with yogurt acquisition |work=Food Business News |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref> The acquisition was completed on June 30, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investors.generalmills.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/General-Mills-Completes-Sale-of-U-S--Yogurt-Business-to-Lactalis/default.aspx|title=General Mills Completes Sale of U.S. Yogurt Business to Lactalis|date=2025-06-30|access-date=2025-08-13|work=General Mills}}</ref>
On 22 August 2025, Lactalis finalized its acquisition of several consumer brands from New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra, following confirmation of the sale in November 2024. The deal includes iconic brands such as Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti, Anlene, Anmum, Fernleaf, Western Star, and Perfect Italiano, as well as Fonterra's food service and ingredients business operations in Oceania, Sri Lanka, the Middle East and Africa. The acquisition also includes 17 manufacturing sites, including three in New Zealand, marking Lactalis's significant expansion into the Australasian market.<ref name="Fonterra 22 Aug 2025">{{Cite web |title=Fonterra agrees sale of Consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis for $3.845 billion |url=https://www.fonterra.com/nz/en/our-stories/media/fonterra-agrees-sale-of-consumer-and-associated-businesses-to-lactalis.html |date=22 August 2025 |access-date=22 August 2025 |publisher=Fonterra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823072906/https://www.fonterra.com/nz/en/our-stories/media/fonterra-agrees-sale-of-consumer-and-associated-businesses-to-lactalis.html|archive-date=23 August 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Fonterra sells Mainland, Anchor brands to French food giant |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/570728/fonterra-sells-mainland-anchor-brands-to-french-food-giant |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=RNZ |date=22 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822151954/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/570728/fonterra-sells-mainland-anchor-brands-to-french-food-giant |archive-date=22 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The transaction is subject to shareholder approval, with a Special Meeting scheduled for late October or early November 2025, and regulatory clearance from the Overseas Investment Office (NZ), Foreign Investment Review Board (Australia), and competition regulators in Kuwait, New Caledonia, and Saudi Arabia. In July 2025, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission announced it would not oppose the acquisition. Completion of the transaction is expected in the first half of 2026, contingent on separation of the businesses and no material adverse changes before closing.<ref name="Fonterra 22 Aug 2025" />
== Corporate governance and ownership == Emmanuel Besnier is President and main shareholder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2022 |title=Lactalis: les coulisses de l'éviction du directeur général, Philippe Palazzi |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/lactalis-les-coulisses-de-l-eviction-du-directeur-general-philippe-palazzi_AN-202202040184.html |website=bfmtv.com}}</ref> Thierry Clément, is, since April 2022, general manager of operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2022 |title=Lactalis créé une direction générale des opérations |url=https://www.lsa-conso.fr/lactalis-cree-une-direction-generale-des-operations,407076 |website=lsa-conso.fr}}</ref>
=== Operations === Owned by the Belgian holding company BSA International SA, which is controlled by the Besnier family that founded Lactalis, Lactalis in 2015 had global revenues of 16.5 billion euros. Lactalis employs 75,000 people worldwide, at 237 production sites in 43 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lactalis.com.ua/en/about/figures|title=Lactalis Group - Key Figures |website=Lactalis.com.ua |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207062436/http://lactalis.com.ua/en/about/figures |archivedate=2017-02-07 }}</ref>
==Controversies==<!-- section is inadequate given the highly controversial issues the subject has been involved in --> In August 2016, French farmers blockaded the company's headquarters in Laval, protesting what they saw as price fixing.<ref>{{cite web |title=French farmers step up fight against dairy giant Lactalis |date=29 August 2016 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20160829-french-farmers-step-prices-top-dairy-company-lactalis |publisher=France 24 |accessdate=19 April 2019}}</ref>
In 2020 allegations were made that 38 of Lactalis's production plants in France had breached environmental regulations, and had been doing so for a number of years. Lactalis stated it had invested €60 million in improving wastewater treatment plants.<ref name=guardian-20201019>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/19/french-dairy-giant-accused-of-polluting-countrys-famous-rivers-for-years |title=French dairy giant accused of polluting country's famous rivers for years |last=Harrap |first=Caroline |newspaper=The Guardian |date=19 October 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref>
In July 2023, Lactalis Australia was fined {{AUD|950,000}} by the Federal Court for breaching the Dairy Code of Conduct in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Kallee |last2=Nichols |first2=Jennifer |last3=Halter |first3=Abbey |date=2023-07-25 |title=Owner of some of Australia's biggest dairy brands fined $950k over treatment of farmers |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-07-26/lactalis-fined-over-dairy-code-breach/102648344 |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref>
In February 2024, the Spanish {{lang|es-ES|Audiencia Nacional}} fined Lactalis with 11.69 million euros for forming a cartel with other milk companies to avoid competition when buying milk from Spanish farmers between 2000 and 2013. The farmers can now further sue for damages.<ref name="Obelleiro">{{cite news |last1=Obelleiro |first1=Paola |title=El cártel de la leche se enfrenta a pagar miles de millones de euros a los productores perjudicados |url=https://www.eldiario.es/galicia/cartel-leche-enfrenta-pagar-miles-millones-euros-productores-perjudicados_1_10952915.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=elDiario.es |date=23 February 2024 |language=es}}</ref>
In February 2024, police officers from the French National Fiscal Offenses Repression Brigade (BNRDF) raided the offices of Lactalis as well as its CEO's private mansion on suspicion of tax evasion. Lactalis is the target of a preliminary investigation by the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) into aggravated tax fraud and aggravated laundering of tax fraud.<ref>{{cite news |title=French dairy giant Lactalis raided on suspicion of massive tax evasion |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2024/02/06/french-multinational-lactalis-raided-on-suspicion-of-massive-tax-evasion_6499686_8.html#:~:text=Lactalis%20is%20the%20target%20of,hundred%20million%20euros%22%20in%20taxes. |date=6 February 2024}}</ref>
=== Salmonella-scandal in France === In February 2023, Lactalis Group and their diary factory Celia Laiterie de Craon, were charged with aggravated deception/serious fraud, involuntary injuries and non-execution of withdrawal and recall measures in a five-year-old case where babies were diagnosed with salmonellosis after consuming the French dairy group's infant milk products, with both firms placed under judicial supervision with a bond of €300,000 each.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lyubomirova |first=Teodora |date=20 February 2023 |title=Salmonella: Lactalis criminally charged in France over infant formula recall |work=Daily Reporter |url=https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2023/02/20/Salmonella-Lactalis-criminally-charged-in-France-over-infant-formula-recall |access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=16 February 2023 |title=French company Lactalis charged over baby milk salmonella scandal |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/02/16/french-company-charged-over-baby-milk-salmonella-scandal_6016092_7.html|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>
Towards the end of 2017, several cases of salmonella poisoning in France were linked to milk products from Lactalis-owned Milumel and Picot brands, delivered by their factory Celia Laiterie de Craon in Mayenne. In a small space of time, cases in Greece and Spain were also directly linked to the Lacalis-products from Craon.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=16 February 2023 |title=French company Lactalis charged over baby milk salmonella scandal |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/02/16/french-company-charged-over-baby-milk-salmonella-scandal_6016092_7.html|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>
In Mid January 2018, the company withdrew almost a year's production of 12 million boxes of baby formula due to a salmonella contamination that they claimed had occurred in the summer of 2017, and Lactalis eventually admitted that as many as 80 countries could be effected.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lactalis to withdraw 12m boxes of baby milk in salmonella scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/14/lactalis-baby-milk-salmonella-scandal-affects-83-countries-ceo-says |website=The Guardian |date=14 January 2018 |accessdate=19 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-babymilk-idUSKCN1FX2IT|title=Lactalis failed to report salmonella on a product -government official|date=13 February 2018|work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42908706 |title=Baby milk contamination 'began in 2005'|date=1 February 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=16 February 2023 |title=French company Lactalis charged over baby milk salmonella scandal |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/02/16/french-company-charged-over-baby-milk-salmonella-scandal_6016092_7.html|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> Lactalis maintained throughout 2018 that it was an isolated incident that had caused the issues, but the Pasteur Institute stated that salmonella had been present since at least 2005, demonstrating 25 cases in the period 2005-2016 where babies had been infected with the exact same strain of the salmonella bacteria as found at the factory.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42908706 "Lactalis baby milk scare in France: Salmonella taint 'began in 2005', BBC 1 February 2018</ref>
=== Russian activities === Lactalis, alongside Savencia, has attracted interest from Russian business figures, including Sergey Bachin, head of the Agranta group, who has reportedly expressed interest in their assets located in Russia. However, neither companies have shown intention of leaving the market, raising concerns about their unwavering commitment to maintaining operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Best |first=Dean |date=2022-03-04 |title=Lactalis underlines need for agility amid Ukraine war |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/lactalis-underlines-need-for-agility-amid-ukraine-war/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Just Food |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Controversies in Italy===
Rai 3's PresaDiretta aired a special report titled "Italia in vendita", highlighting the increasing foreign acquisitions in Italy's agri-food sector, from North to South. The focus was on the dairy and cheese industries, particularly iconic products like mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano, which have been taken over by the French multinational Lactalis. The investigation explored operations at Parmalat's Collecchio plant, Nuova Castelli in Reggio Emilia, and Alival in Reggio Calabria and Tuscany.
The report concluded that Lactalis sought to integrate Italy's DOP products and brands—such as Galbani, Parmalat, Leerdammer, Castelli, Invernizzi, and the more recent acquisition of Ambrosi—into its global portfolio. It aimed to leverage Parmalat's international presence in Africa and Latin America, while closing down plants considered non-essential, such as Alival in Calabria and Tuscany, sparking controversy over a lack of social responsibility.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://askanews.it/2023/12/01/lactalis-italia-pomella-prezzi-spingono-fatturato-2023-ma-volumi-in-calo/ | title=Lactalis Italia, Pomella: Prezzi spingono fatturato 2023 ma volumi in calo }}</ref>
Lactalis faced significant backlash for its decision to shut down two production facilities: one in San Gregorio, Reggio Calabria, and another in Ponte Buggianese, Tuscany.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.today.it/tv/news/presadiretta-stasera-in-tv-la-nuova-puntata-anticipazioni-servizi-6-ottobre-2024.html | title=PresaDiretta, le anticipazioni e gli argomenti della puntata di questa sera }}</ref> The closure, impacting 80 workers and their families in Reggio Calabria, was widely condemned by local authorities and unions for the negative impact on the regional economy. Lactalis, which acquired Alival through the Castelli Group, justified the closures citing financial challenges worsened by the pandemic and international crises. Despite protests, the San Gregorio plant officially closed in January 2023, with only 4 out of 84 employees being relocated.
Swiss Journalist {{Interlanguage link|Klaus Davi|it}} strongly criticized the decision, stating: "The closure of the Lactalis plant in Reggio Calabria is an indefensible disgrace. Sending 80 workers home, pushing 80 families into poverty in a city like Reggio, is no small matter, especially when Italian food excellence is being celebrated."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.efanews.eu/item/31190-lactalis-e-chiusura-alival-a-reggio-calabria-una-crisi-che-viene-da-lontano.html | title=Lactalis e chiusura Alival a Reggio Calabria: Una crisi che viene da lontano | date=5 May 2023 }}</ref>
In contrast, Tuscany's regional government took swift action, engaging local entrepreneurs to create favorable conditions for reemployment at the Ponte Buggianese plant. As a result of these efforts, 45 out of the 56 workers will be re-employed, providing stability after Lactalis' decision.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reggiotoday.it/cronaca/alival-calabria-tutto-fermo-toscana-lavoratori-salvi.html | title=Alival, in Calabria tutto fermo invece i lavoratori toscani sono salvi }}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Companies|Food}} * List of cheesemakers * List of companies of France
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="Euromonitor 2000">{{cite book | title=World's Major Multinationals | publisher=Euromonitor | series=Directories (Euromonitor PLC) | year=2000 | isbn=978-0-86338-883-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zYOAQAAMAAJ | access-date=15 August 2017 | page=309}}</ref> }}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.lactalis.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Besnier family Category:Cheesemakers Category:Companies based in Pays de la Loire Category:Conglomerate companies established in 1933 Category:Conglomerate companies of France Category:Dairy products companies of France Category:Family-owned companies Category:Food and drink companies established in 1933 Category:French brands Category:French companies established in 1933 Category:Lactalis Category:Mayenne Category:Multinational companies headquartered in France Category:Multinational dairy companies Category:Multinational food companies Category:Privately held companies of France