Newsroom
It’s not your fridge; it’s the milk.
A growing number of Cypriot consumers are reporting that cartons of fresh milk are turning sour days before the expiration date, prompting an uproar and raising questions about quality control in one of the island’s most trusted dairy brands.
...so far, tests show no microbiological risk or presence of pharmaceutical residues, meaning there’s no evidence of a health threat to consumers.
According to the Cyprus Consumers Association, the complaints involve Charalambides Christis pasteurized milk, with customers noticing that it was going off even when stored properly and well before its listed “best-before” date.
The company has launched an internal investigation, while authorities are looking into whether the problem lies in the cooling chain, the process that keeps milk at safe temperatures from production to supermarket shelves.
“The issue is serious because it concerns consumer health,” said Marios Drousiotis, president of the Consumers Association, speaking on a morning program. He urged both the company and the authorities to issue clear information to the public, saying that “it’s not enough for citizens to just return the product to the supermarket.”
Meanwhile, Veterinary Services Director Christodoulos Pipis confirmed that state inspectors have been informed and are also examining the matter. He stressed that, so far, tests show no microbiological risk or presence of pharmaceutical residues, meaning there’s no evidence of a health threat to consumers.
“The milk’s safety and quality are checked before it’s released for sale,” Pipis said, adding that both the company and the Veterinary Services perform routine inspections.
Still, the reports have stirred unease among consumers, especially given the brand’s reputation and the frequency of complaints. For now, officials say the early souring appears to be linked to storage or temperature fluctuations somewhere along the supply chain rather than contamination.
Until the investigation concludes, consumer advocates advise the public to check expiration dates carefully, keep receipts, and report any irregularities.
