The Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio ratified a 21,000 million peso fine against four dairy companies for adding whey to milk sold as whole. The involved companies include Gloria, Lactalis, Hacienda San Mateo, and Sabanalac. Invima detected high levels of caseinomacropéptido in samples from various brands, indicating the undeclared addition.
The Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) confirmed the initial February sanction worth 21,000 million pesos against Gloria, Lactalis, Hacienda San Mateo, and Sabanalac. These companies, according to the SIC, could not refute the findings in the related files concerning the addition of whey to products marketed as whole milk.
The Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (Invima) examined samples from eight brands: Medalla de Oro, Máxima, Algarro, De la Cuesta, Alkosto Hiperahorro, Parmalat, Latti, and Pomar. High levels of caseinomacropéptido (CMP), a whey marker, were found. This additive, the liquid residue from milk coagulation for cheese, alters the natural proportions of fats and solids, turning the product into a dairy beverage rather than whole milk. The SIC stressed that the labeling omission misleads consumers and lowers raw material costs, creating unfair competitive advantages for Gloria, Lactalis, and Hacienda San Mateo, though not for Sabanalac.
Indulácteos was exempted from the sanction. Sabanalac, producer of Pomar, rejected the adulteration claims and announced an appeal to the Consejo de Estado. Its manager, Nelson Molano, stated they will comply with the administrative decision but file an action for nullity and restoration of rights.
Lactalis criticized the resolution for lacking legal and technical basis, relying on 2020 evidence. Its CEO, Juan Camilo Velásquez, said: “We will initiate the action of nullity before the Council of State, requesting the restoration of rights and recognition of damages caused by this entire situation.” The company regretted the deviation from technical discussion and rejected narratives pushed by competitors that harm the dairy sector's reputation.
