Rio Grande do Sul court convicts 15 in dairy adulteration scheme

A court in Rio Grande do Sul has sentenced 15 individuals for their involvement in a scheme to adulterate dairy products manufactured by the company Dielat in Taquara. The convictions, resulting from the ‘Operação Leite Compensado’ investigation led by the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul, include charges of criminal association and food adulteration. Sentences range from 18 months to over 13 years of imprisonment.

Investigations revealed that the group used caustic soda and hydrogen peroxide (referred to in internal records as ‘vitamina’ and ‘lactose’) to artificially reduce the acidity of deteriorated raw materials. The scheme also involved the re-industrialization of expired or unfit products, the use of clandestine warehouses, and the maintenance of parallel records to evade sanitary inspections. Authorities previously identified more than 800 tons of goods stored in unauthorized locations during the 2024 operation.