New Zealand: Contaminated Whey Powder Shipped to 8 Countries

Fonterra , the world's largest dairy exporter, said on Saturday it had found bacteria which can cause botulism in some of its dairy products, prompting China to recall affected products. Russia has suspended imports and circulation of Fonterra products. New Zealand authorities said they were holding back some widely used infant formula products from supermarket shelves.There are reports Thailand has ordered a recall of Fonterra products imported since May. NZAgbiz, is recalling calf milk replacer sold in the North Island.

Fonterra said it had sold the whey protein concentrate contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum to eight customers, including food and beverage companies and animal stock feed firms, for possible use in infant formula, bodybuilding powder, and other products.

Fonterra said the products in question were exported to Australia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

China, imports most of its milk powder from New Zealand. They asked domestic importers to recall any products which may have been contaminated.  China is increasing scrutiny of New Zealand dairy products.

Fonterra said three food companies, two beverage companies and three animal stock feed manufacturers were affected.

In Chinese state radio said Fonterra was notifying three Chinese firms affected by the contamination. "The administration has also asked importers to immediately recall any possibly contaminated products and has required all local quarantine and inspection bodies to further strengthen inspection and supervision of New Zealand dairy products exported to China," the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement.

Clostridium Botulinum is often found in soil. In the Fonterra case it was caused by an unsanitary pipe at a processing plant.

Botulinum toxin is the most acutely toxic substance know.The Clostridium Botulinum bacteria can cause botulism, a potentially fatal disease which affects the muscles and can cause respiratory problems. Infant botulism can attack the intestinal system. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a very small amount—a few nanograms—of toxin can cause illness. While the incidence of the disease is low, "the mortality rate is high if not treated immediately and properly," the FDA said on its website.

The Ministry of Primary Industries said five batches of Karicare formula manufactured in New Zealand for babies were produced using the contaminated product. The brand is popular in China.

It said there had been no reports of any illness linked to the affected whey protein yet, and that Fonterra fresh milk, yoghurt, cheese, spreads and UHT milk products were not affected.

China has started to tighten dairy import regulations to improve overall food safety. In recent weeks, Foreign-branded infant formula is a prized commodity in China, where consumers are distrustful of domestic brands given a series of food safety scandals. Popular foreign brands include Nestle, Danone and Mead Johnson.

.Coca-Cola Co. in China said it has quarantined some whey protein it received from the New Zealand company. Chinese regulators said companies including Hangzhou Wahaha Group were among importers of the potentially tainted ingredient.

While Fonterra is a major supplier of bulk milk powder products used in formula in China, it had stayed out of branding after Chinese dairy company Sanlu, in which it had held a stake, was found to have added melamine to bulk up formulas in 2008

Mr. Romano said the problem was caused by a pipe that wasn't correctly sterilized. He stated that the length of time between detection and confirmation was due to the extensive testing that was carried out.

Mr. Groser said, however, the situation is "very serious" and the government has questions for Fonterra about where the failure happened, the length of time it took to verify and who is going to take responsibility