Coca Cola and Three Other Companies Recall Products in China

China's importers on Sunday began to recall produced with contaminated whey protein of New Zealand dairy company Fonterra.

The recall began after the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced a list of four domestic companies that have imported whey products that may be contaminated with clostridium botulinum..

The four importers are Hangzhou Wahaha Health Food Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Wahaha Import & Export Co., Ltd., Shanghai Tangjiu Co., Ltd. and Shanghai-based Dumex Baby Food Co., Ltd., according to AQSIQ.

Shanghai Tangjiu, a Chinese agent for Fonterra products, said in a statement that it had imported 4.8 tonnes of affected whey protein before selling the whey to the Shanghai branch of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola confirmed the news in a statement, which said 4.77 tonnes of the material had been sealed. The remaining whey protein was used to produce milk beverages that are now being recalled.

The Wahaha Group, which owns two of the companies in question, has initiated recalls for affected products despite finding no signs of contamination in them, said Zong Qinghou, board chairman of Wahaha.The company imported about 14 tonnes of whey protein from Fonterra in 2012 that was used to process its dairy products, including its popular Nutri-Express drink, according to Zong. The products hit shelves in October 2012 and the company is working to recall any unsold items.

Baby formula maker Dumex also said it is sealing imported Fonterra products and recalling two of its branded formula products that were made with the whey protein.

AQSIQ on Sunday also issued a consumer warning for three batches of Karicare-brand dairy products produced by New Zealand company Nutricia.The affected Karicare products are not officially imported to China, but may have entered the country through other channels, AQSIQ said.