a2 Milk wins China approval to rebrand Pokeno formula products
$172M special dividend back on table after regulatory green light
23 June 2026
1 minute read
By: New Zealand's a2 Milk has received approval from China's State Administration for Market Regulation to convert two infant milk formula registrations tied to its Pokeno facility into its own brands, Reuters reported, citing the company on Monday.
The approval follows a2 Milk's acquisition of the Pokeno facility, completed in early September last year, which included two China-label infant formula product registrations the company planned to rebrand. The regulatory green light also means a2 Milk no longer has the right to unwind the acquisition.
The company expects to launch the new products later this year.
CEO David Bortolussi said the approval was a significant step in the company's China growth strategy.
The board will now meet to consider a NZ$300 million (US$172 million) special dividend, first announced in August 2025, which had been conditional on receiving the regulatory approval.
