Possible botulism in infant formula, sports drinks - Fonterra

A Fonterra whey protein concentrate used in some infant formula and sports drinks may contaiin botulism, the Ministry for Primary Industries warns.

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In a statement issued shortly after midnight, the ministry says it is working closely with Fonterra on a food safety issue with a range of products manufactured from whey protein concentrate produced at a single New Zealand manufacturing site in May 2012.

A total of 38 tonnes of whey powder is subject to the scare.

The whey concentrate appears to contain a strain of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, MPI says.

Fonterra says the why concentrate is called WPC80. Any consumer product recalls that may need to take place will be initiated by the respective food companies, the company said this morning.

"Our focus is on ensuring that there are no contaminated products on the New Zealand market. We are working with Fonterra and its customers, to identify if there are any products posing a risk," MPI acting director general Scott Gallacher says.

"At present, we are continuing to verify information provided to us, and we will update further if any products are identified. Products on the market will be recalled if they are found to contain the contaminated protein."

Mr Gallacher says the government had advised the appropriate regulatory authorities in overseas markets of the situation.

"We are also working with Fonterra to establish what has happened, how it happened, and what can be done to ensure it does not happen again."

Fonterra informed MPI of the contamination Friday afternoon.

Fonterra advised MPI whey concentrate is used in a range of products including infant formula, growing up milk powder and sports drinks. (Dairy products such as fresh milk, yoghurt, cheese, spreads and UHT milk products are not affected.)

“For this reason, we immediately contacted our customers and the appropriate authorities, so that any potentially affected product could be removed from the marketplace," Gary Romano, managing director NZ milk products.

Fonterra says it hopes to be able to provide more information later today - but also that it is leaving it up to the brands involved to issue details about product recalls.