Omari Gates
Australian-owned milk brands and large Australian dairy processors are becoming less common. A Facebook post went viral in 2025, claiming that Chinese company Mengniu Dairy, and by extension the Chinese Communist Party, owned and controlled more than 20 Australian dairy brands, including Pura milk. However, this claim is false. Pura is owned by Bega Cheese, an Australian dairy company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. Bega, which started as a dairy cooperative in 1899, is still based in the NSW town of the same name. Its largest shareholders are predominantly Australian fund managers and investment companies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bega Cheese |
| Country of owner headquarters | Australia |
| Stock exchange | Australian Securities Exchange |
| Major shareholder | Tattarang |
| Major shareholder owner | Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest's family |
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What You'll Learn
- Pura® milk is made in Chelsea, Victoria, using milk sourced from Victorian farmers
- Bega Cheese, an Australian company, owns Pura
- A 2025 Facebook post falsely claimed that Pura was owned by a Chinese company
- Pura was launched in Tasmania in 1994
- Pura has sponsored Australian sporting competitions, including the Sheffield Shield
Pura® milk is made in Chelsea, Victoria, using milk sourced from Victorian farmers
PURA® has had several prominent marketing campaigns over the years, including its Light Start TV campaign featuring Australian swimmer and gold medalist Keiren Perkins. The brand has also sponsored Australia's domestic first-class cricket competition, the Sheffield Shield, renaming it the PURA CUP. More recently, in 2022, PURA® launched its Lactose-Free milk in South Australia and its exclusive café brand Bayside Dairy™ in Victoria.
Regarding ownership, PURA® is owned by Bega Cheese, an Australian dairy company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. Bega Cheese is based in the NSW town of the same name and started as a dairy cooperative in 1899. The company's largest shareholders are predominantly Australian fund managers and investment companies, with the biggest being Tattarang, owned by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest's family.
While there were claims that PURA® and other Australian milk brands were owned by the Chinese company Mengniu Dairy, these allegations have been proven false. Mengniu Dairy does own the Australian formula milk brand Bellamy's Organic, but its attempts to acquire Lion Dairy and Drinks in 2019 were blocked by the Australian government. As such, PURA® remains Australian-owned under Bega Cheese's leadership.
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Bega Cheese, an Australian company, owns Pura
It was claimed on social media that Pura, an Australian milk brand, was owned by the Chinese company Mengniu Dairy. However, this claim is false. Pura is owned by Bega Cheese, an Australian company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. Bega Cheese, which started as a dairy cooperative in 1899, is based in the NSW town of Bega. Its largest shareholders are predominantly Australian fund managers and investment companies, with the biggest being Tattarang, owned by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest's family.
Bega Cheese has a long history in the dairy industry, dating back to its early days as a cooperative in the late 19th century. Over the years, it has expanded and diversified its operations, acquiring various subsidiaries and brands. In 2020, Bega Cheese announced its purchase of Lion Dairy & Drinks and all its subsidiaries, including Dairy Farmers, for a reported A$550 million. This move brought Dairy Farmers under Australian ownership for the first time since 2008, when it was acquired by the Japanese company Kirin Holdings.
Pura milk, produced by Bega Cheese, has a strong presence in the Australian market. It was introduced to Tasmania in 1994, and the brand has since sponsored various campaigns and competitions, such as the Sheffield Shield, which was renamed the PURA CUP during its sponsorship. Pura sources its milk from Victorian farmers, supporting over 50 farming families and communities in the state. The company takes pride in its farm-fresh milk and its support for local farmers.
The ownership of Pura by Bega Cheese highlights the importance of Australian ownership in the dairy industry. It ensures that the production and processing of milk remain within the country, creating local jobs and supporting Australian farmers. This stands in contrast to the concerns raised about the increasing concentration of control of Australia's leading brands in the hands of foreign entities, particularly those with obligations to foreign governments. By supporting Australian-owned companies like Bega Cheese, consumers can contribute to the country's food security and the sustainability of the local dairy industry.
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A 2025 Facebook post falsely claimed that Pura was owned by a Chinese company
A Facebook post from 2025 falsely claimed that Pura, an Australian milk brand, was owned by a Chinese company. The post, which surfaced at a time of strained political and trade relations between Australia and China, specifically alleged that Mengniu Dairy, and by extension, the Chinese Communist Party, owned and controlled over 20 Australian dairy brands, including Pura. However, this claim was quickly proven false.
In reality, most of the brands mentioned in the post, including Pura, are owned by Bega Cheese, an Australian dairy company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. Bega, which started as a dairy cooperative in 1899, is based in the NSW town of the same name. Its largest shareholders are predominantly Australian fund managers and investment companies, with the biggest being Tattarang, owned by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest's family.
While Mengniu Dairy does have a presence in Australia, it primarily owns the Australian formula milk brand Bellamy's Organic. In 2019, Mengniu sought to acquire Lion Dairy and Drinks, a subsidiary of Japanese beverage company Kirin, but this bid was blocked by the Australian government in 2020. As a result, Bega acquired Lion and its suite of Australian products in 2021.
Pura milk, which was introduced to Tasmania in 1994, is proudly made in Chelsea, Victoria. The company sources its milk from across the state, supporting over 50 farming families and communities. Pura's products include Pura Lactose-Free milk, launched in South Australia in 2022, and Bayside Dairy, an exclusive cafe brand launched in Victoria in 2022.
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Pura was launched in Tasmania in 1994
In 1994, PURA® milk was introduced to Tasmania, with the relaunch of Tasmaid milk as Tasmaid PURA. This was the brand's inaugural launch, and it was followed by a Light Start TV campaign the next year, featuring Australian swimmer and gold medalist Keiren Perkins.
Pura's history in Tasmania is a testament to its long-standing presence and contribution to the local economy and community. The brand has since expanded its reach and impact across Australia, becoming a household name and a trusted source of dairy products for many Australians.
The introduction of Pura milk in Tasmania marked a significant step in the brand's journey and set the foundation for its future success and expansion. It demonstrated the company's commitment to bringing its products to new markets and establishing itself as a prominent player in the Australian dairy industry.
Since its launch in Tasmania, Pura has continued to grow and innovate, introducing new products and initiatives that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of Australian consumers. The brand has also demonstrated its support for local communities, farmers, and sporting events, further solidifying its presence and positive impact in the country.
Pura's launch in Tasmania in 1994 holds a special significance in the brand's history and has contributed to shaping its identity as an Australian dairy company. The brand has since become a household name, known for its quality dairy products and its support for local communities and industries.
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Pura has sponsored Australian sporting competitions, including the Sheffield Shield
Pura Milk has sponsored Australian sporting competitions, including the Sheffield Shield, a domestic first-class cricket competition. In 1999, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced a four-year, multi-million-dollar sponsorship deal with Pura Milk, a brand name of National Foods, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bega Cheese. As a result of this deal, the Sheffield Shield was renamed the Pura Milk Cup, and later, the Pura Cup.
The sponsorship increased the total annual prize money for the competition to $220,000, with the winners receiving $75,000 and the runners-up $45,000. The deal also provided Pura Milk with exclusive naming rights, branding on player shirts, and various signage opportunities, such as perimeter fence signage and stumps signage.
Pura Milk's sponsorship of the Sheffield Shield was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it helped secure the future of the competition, which was heavily reliant on funding from other forms of cricket. By partnering with Pura Milk, the ACB was able to relieve the financial burden and focus on strengthening the interstate competition and its role in Australian cricket's success. Secondly, Pura Milk's association with the competition brought benefits for both the brand and the ACB. Pura Milk was able to promote the benefits of pure Australian milk through the Pura Milk Cup, while also supporting and building the future of an important cricket competition in Australia.
The decision to rename the competition to the Pura Milk Cup was not taken lightly. The ACB consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including current and past players, cricket administrators, cricket supporters, the media, and other cricket stakeholders. The feedback received indicated that the most important issue was not the name of the competition but rather preserving and strengthening its integrity.
In conclusion, Pura Milk's sponsorship of the Sheffield Shield demonstrates the brand's support for Australian sporting competitions and its commitment to promoting Australian milk. Through this sponsorship, Pura Milk played a crucial role in securing the future of one of the foundation stones of Australia's international cricket success.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Pura milk is not Australian-owned. It is owned by Bega Cheese, an Australian dairy company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Bega Cheese also owns Dairy Farmers, Farmers Union, Masters, Dare, Yoplait, Fruche, Divine Classic, YoGo, Big M, Berri, and Daily Juice.
Pura milk is made from Victorian milk sourced from across the state.
