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Fonterra milk botulism scare a false alarm, New Zealand ministry says Fonterra milk botulism scare a false alarm, New Zealand ministry says
(21 days later)
A botulism scare that damaged New Zealand's international reputation for providing top-quality dairy products is likely to have been a false alarm.A botulism scare that damaged New Zealand's international reputation for providing top-quality dairy products is likely to have been a false alarm.
New Zealand government officials said on Wednesday they had found no sign of botulism bacteria after retesting ingredients used in recalled milk products.New Zealand government officials said on Wednesday they had found no sign of botulism bacteria after retesting ingredients used in recalled milk products.
Dairy company Fonterra sparked a global recall of infant formula this month after announcing it had discovered botulism bacteria in some of its whey protein concentrate.Dairy company Fonterra sparked a global recall of infant formula this month after announcing it had discovered botulism bacteria in some of its whey protein concentrate.
But New Zealand's ministry of primary industries said its own extensive retesting of the concentrate indicated the presence of another, less dangerous type of bacteria.But New Zealand's ministry of primary industries said its own extensive retesting of the concentrate indicated the presence of another, less dangerous type of bacteria.
Officials said the bacteria they found poses no health risk but could spoil the product in high quantities.Officials said the bacteria they found poses no health risk but could spoil the product in high quantities.
They sought to reassure international markets by lifting warnings about affected Fonterra products after several countries instituted limited bans on New Zealand dairy products.They sought to reassure international markets by lifting warnings about affected Fonterra products after several countries instituted limited bans on New Zealand dairy products.
New Zealand officials said they had conducted 195 tests in laboratories in New Zealand and the US. They concluded that the bacteria in the whey concentrate were Clostridium sporogenes and not the Clostridium botulinum initially identified by Fonterra's tests.New Zealand officials said they had conducted 195 tests in laboratories in New Zealand and the US. They concluded that the bacteria in the whey concentrate were Clostridium sporogenes and not the Clostridium botulinum initially identified by Fonterra's tests.
Theo Spierings, chief executive of Fonterra, said he was relieved at the latest results. "It's good news it's all clear for us regarding this recall," he said.Theo Spierings, chief executive of Fonterra, said he was relieved at the latest results. "It's good news it's all clear for us regarding this recall," he said.
Spierings said the company had acted quickly and out of caution in triggering the recall and he did not regret that. He said the initial Fonterra tests were performed by government agency AgResearch. He declined to discuss what may have gone wrong in those tests.Spierings said the company had acted quickly and out of caution in triggering the recall and he did not regret that. He said the initial Fonterra tests were performed by government agency AgResearch. He declined to discuss what may have gone wrong in those tests.
Spierings said Fonterra remained concerned about the contamination of its products, even though it was not as bad as first thought.Spierings said Fonterra remained concerned about the contamination of its products, even though it was not as bad as first thought.
The company had earlier identified dirty pipes in a Waikato factory as causing the contamination.The company had earlier identified dirty pipes in a Waikato factory as causing the contamination.
Spierings travelled to China this month to perform damage control in that key market. New Zealand relies on dairy exports to power its economy.Spierings travelled to China this month to perform damage control in that key market. New Zealand relies on dairy exports to power its economy.
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