Exclusive: The chairman of Bega Cheese has come out swinging at rival brand Coon and its controversial name change that has divided Australian shoppers. Coon cheese s parent company, Saputo Dairy Australia, announced last year that it would be rebranded and recently revealed the new name Cheer would appear on packaging from July this year. Saputo took control of Coon cheese after it acquired a Japanese-owned Lion s everyday cheese business in 2015.  Bega Cheese executive chairman, Barry Irvin, said rival brand Coon cheese should have changed its name years ago. Picture: supplied  Mr Irvin said he understood the history of the Coon cheese was not one of racism and was based on the last name of the man who created it. But he always felt uncomfortable with the brand given the word is also a racist slur against people of colour.
Business by David Aidone
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Exclusive: Some of Australia s biggest iconic milk, yoghurt and fruit juice brands are now officially out of foreign hands - and consumers can expect to see new products on supermarket shelves. Popular milk brands including Big M, Dare, Farmers Union, Pura and Dairy Farmers have been acquired by Bega Cheese through its takeover of Japanese-owned Lion s Dairy and Drinks division. The $534 million deal marks the locally-owned company s first foray into fresh dairy products, yoghurt labels such Yoplait and fruit juice including Daily Juice, Berri and The Juice Brothers. Bega Cheese executive chairman Barry Irvin said the $534 marked a new chapter for the company as it made a foray into fresh dairy and juice products. Picture: Supplied