Health scare sparks global recall of dairy products
Published:Sunday | August 4, 2013 | 12:00 AM
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP):New Zealand authorities have triggered a global recall of up to 1,000 tons of dairy products across seven countries after dairy giant Fonterra announced tests had turned up a type of bacteria that could cause botulism.
New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries said yesterday that the tainted products include infant formula, sports drinks, protein drinks and other beverages.
It said countries affected beside New Zealand include China, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia.
Fonterra said its customers were urgently checking their supply chains.
One New Zealand company has locked down five batches of infant formula and China is asking importers to immediately recall products.
Fonterra is the world's fourth-largest dairy company, with annual revenues of about $16 billion.
The Centres for Disease Control describe botulism as a rare but sometimes fatal paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin.
At a news conference yesterday, Fonterra repeatedly refused to divulge the companies, countries or specific products affected.