NZ authorities: Fonterra tainted product limited to 3 batches

Fonterra reports today that the whey protein concentrate that it discovered to be contaminated with bacteria-causing botulism, is limited to three batches of WPC80, and that no other dairy products in New Zealand are affected. This was confirmed by the New Zealand government.

The tainted product is confined to 38 metric tonnes of whey protein concentrate (WPC80) that was produced in one Fonterra site in New Zealand in 2012. This was applied in the manufacture of infant formula, juice and dairy beverages, yoghurt and animal stock food. 

China stops NZ milk powder import

Four days ago, China said it would temporarily suspend imports of dairy from New Zealand and Australia, as investigations continue. It is also imposing stricter safety product checks.

According to Reuters, China imports more than 90% of its powdered milk from New Zealand, which reaches some $1.9 billion, and whilst a shortage will likely occur in the long term, the ban has been imposed nonetheless. Although it does not import directly from Australia, the affected products were first exported there before heading to China and other countries.

Other countries follow suit

Fonterra, a wholesale dairy ingredient supplier, identified eight companies that it had sold the contaminated whey protein concentrate in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The tainted product could cause botulism, a fatal paralytic illness.

After China, Sri Lanka also suspends shipment of milk powder from New Zealand, and withdrew products that might contain the tainted whey protein concentrate from Fonterra. Speaking to Reuters, Dharma Wanninayake, a spAir Jordan IV 4 Retro Snake Skin