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Jalna is an Australian dairy company that was founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman, who named the company after his family's farm. In 1978, Goldman sold the business to the McLaren family, who continued to operate it as a family-owned and run business. In 2022, the company was acquired by French dairy giant Lactalis, and is no longer Australian-owned. Despite the change in ownership, Jalna remains a favourite in millions of Australian homes and is one of the country's largest yoghurt producers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current owner | Lactalis |
| Previous owner | McLaren family |
| Year founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Simon Goldman |
| Industry | Dairy |
| Product | Yogurt |
| Market share in Australia | 12% |
| Primary sales channels | Coles and Woolworths |
| Production sites | 50 countries |
| Dairy processing plant location | Lidcombe, NSW |
| Dairy farming operation location | Koyuga, Victoria |
| Organic certification | Australia Organic Limited's The Bud logo |
| Ethical ratings | WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard: 12.98/24; Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare: Tier 4; BMS Marketing Index: 0.1%; Social Benchmark: N/A; Certified Sustainable Palm Oil: Good |
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What You'll Learn
- Jalna was founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman
- In 1978, Goldman sold the business to the McLaren family
- French dairy giant Lactalis acquired the company in 2022
- Jalna is rated 'Good' for its use of certified sustainable palm oil
- The company has been fined for environmental violations in the past
Jalna was founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman
Jalna, one of Australia's largest yoghurt producers, was founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman. He named the company after his family's farm. Twenty years later, in 1978, Goldman sold the business to the McLaren family. Jalna Dairy Foods is now a third-generation family-owned and run business.
The company was founded with the determination to make the best yoghurt possible, and today, Jalna is a favourite in millions of Australian homes and overseas. The team of around 80 people makes a wide range of delicious yoghurt varieties, always developing new products that meet the dietary needs and changing tastes of its customers.
Jalna Dairy Foods owns and manages its own organic dairy farming operation at Koyuga, Victoria. The company has made use of organic and biodynamic farming methods for over 20 years, nurturing the environment and prioritising animal welfare. Their herd is predominantly made up of Holstein Friesian milkers, and the cows benefit from sustainable practices, ensuring their health and happiness.
In 2022, French dairy giant Lactalis acquired the yoghurt business, Jalna Dairy Foods. Despite the acquisition, Jalna remains committed to its values and continues to produce pure pot-set yoghurt to the highest standards of quality and purity, using only pure, fresh ingredients such as locally sourced whole milk and fresh cream.
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In 1978, Goldman sold the business to the McLaren family
Jalna Yoghurt, one of Australia's largest yoghurt producers, was founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman. He named the company after his family's farm to honour his successful endeavours in his newly adopted country. Twenty years later, in 1978, Goldman sold the business to the McLaren family for $350,000.
The McLaren family, who owned and managed their own organic dairy farming operation in Koyuga, Victoria, were determined to uphold the values that Jalna was founded upon. This included a commitment to using pure, fresh, locally sourced ingredients, such as whole milk and fresh cream. Under the ownership of the McLaren family, Jalna continued to produce pure pot-set yoghurt of the highest possible standard and purity.
The small team of 12 people that the McLaren family inherited quickly grew, and today, Jalna is made up of around 80 dedicated people. The company has since expanded its product range, offering a wide variety of delicious yoghurt options to consumers. Jalna has also maintained its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, with a focus on animal welfare and environmental nurturing.
In 2021, Lachlan McLaren, the third generation of the McLaren family to be involved in the business, emphasised the importance of clear certification for organic products. He advocated for the use of Australia Organic Limited's 'The Bud' logo, which assures consumers that no synthetic chemicals have been used and that the product is truly organic.
In 2022, French dairy giant Lactalis acquired the yoghurt business, marking the second acquisition of that year for the company. Despite the change in ownership, Jalna remains an Australian-based company, with a strong presence in the Australian market and a dedication to meeting the dietary needs and changing tastes of Australian consumers.
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French dairy giant Lactalis acquired the company in 2022
Jalna, one of Australia's largest yoghurt producers, was founded in 1959 by Polish migrant Simon Goldman. In 1978, the business was sold to the McLaren family for $350,000. In 2022, French dairy giant Lactalis acquired the company.
Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company, was founded in 1933 by Andre Besnier. The company has 250 production sites across 50 countries. Lactalis's acquisition of Jalna was part of its strategy to expand its yogurt portfolio and strengthen its position in the Australian market. The deal included the purchase of the Jalna brand, a yogurt production facility in Melbourne, and a milk farm in northern Victoria.
Jalna, with its 90 employees, is known for its pot-set yogurts and its commitment to using pure, fresh ingredients. The company sources local whole milk and fresh cream to create a wide range of delicious yogurt varieties. Lactalis recognised the value of Jalna's brand and its integrated, 'paddock-to-pot' business model, which includes manufacturing its unique containers and operating a biodynamic farm.
This acquisition by Lactalis was not an isolated incident. The French dairy giant has a history of expanding its global presence through acquisitions. In 2011, Lactalis acquired Parmalat, an Italian dairy company with a presence in Australia. In 2014, they further expanded in Australia by acquiring WA-based Harvey Fresh. Lactalis's interest in the Australian market is evident, and the addition of Jalna to their portfolio strengthens their leadership role in the local dairy sector.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition of Jalna by Lactalis marked a significant change in ownership for the Australian yogurt brand. The McLaren family, who had owned Jalna since 1978, passed the baton to Lactalis, bringing new opportunities and directions for the beloved Australian yogurt company.
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Jalna is rated 'Good' for its use of certified sustainable palm oil
Jalna, one of Australia's largest yoghurt producers, has been rated "Good" for its use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO). This rating reflects the company's commitment to using sustainable and ethical practices in its production processes.
The rating is based on several criteria, including the company's use of CSPO, its commitment to sourcing CSPO, its on-the-ground conservation actions, and its membership in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO is a global partnership committed to making the palm oil industry more sustainable by developing and implementing global standards for producing and sourcing certified sustainable palm oil.
Jalna's "Good" rating indicates that the company prioritises the use of sustainable palm oil in its products. This is important because palm oil production can have negative environmental and social impacts, such as deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuses. By using CSPO, Jalna is helping to reduce these negative impacts and contributing to a more sustainable industry.
The company's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its use of palm oil. Jalna actively explores ways to make its production processes more energy-efficient, and it sources local and fresh ingredients for its yoghurt, such as locally sourced whole milk and fresh cream. This approach aligns with the company's belief that "it's what's inside that counts."
In addition to its environmental efforts, Jalna is also dedicated to meeting the changing tastes and dietary needs of its customers. The company actively seeks inspiration and feedback from its customers to develop new flavours and varieties that cater to a wide range of preferences and requirements. This customer-centric approach has helped Jalna become a favourite in millions of Australian homes and expand its reach overseas.
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The company has been fined for environmental violations in the past
Jalna Dairy Foods, one of Australia's largest yoghurt producers, has been fined for environmental violations in the past. In August 2015, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued two fines of $8000 each to the company after detecting offensive odours emanating from its dairy processing plant in Lidcombe. The odours were caused by wastewater stored in a 500,000-litre tank on the site, which had become depleted in oxygen and produced hydrogen sulphide, commonly known as rotten egg gas. This incident highlights the company's past struggles with environmental compliance and their impact on the surrounding community.
Jalna has also faced scrutiny for its environmental practices and policies beyond this specific incident. In terms of sustainability, the company has received a "Good" rating for its use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) and commitment to sourcing it. However, in the 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, Jalna was rated as "middle of the pack" with a score of 12.98 out of 24, indicating areas for improvement in ensuring a sustainable and ethical palm oil supply chain.
Additionally, the company has been assessed by various benchmarks and indices that evaluate environmental and ethical practices. In the 2024 Social Benchmark, which assesses companies on their responsibility in meeting societal expectations, Jalna was included in the assessment. Similarly, the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranked Jalna in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", indicating room for improvement in farm animal welfare policies and practices.
While Jalna has shown a commitment to exploring energy-efficient production methods, as mentioned on their website, the company has also faced ownership changes that may impact its environmental practices. In 2022, the Australian dairy company was acquired by Lactalis, a French dairy giant, which has since been operating under the name Lactalis Australia. This change in ownership could bring about shifts in environmental policies and strategies, and it remains to be seen how Lactalis' influence will shape Jalna's future environmental performance and compliance with regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Jalna is not Australian-owned. In 2022, Lactalis, a French dairy giant, acquired the company.
Polish migrant Simon Goldman founded Jalna in 1959.
Before Lactalis, Jalna was owned by the McLaren family, who bought the company from Goldman in 1978.
Lactalis is a privately-owned group and one of the world's largest dairy companies, with 250 production sites across 50 countries.
Lactalis owns Parmalat Australia (formerly Pauls Ltd), Harvey Fresh, Lemnos Foods, and Jindi Cheese.
