Nutricia Karicare formula tainted

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Nutricia Karicare formula tainted
AAP August 3, 2013, 7:01 pm

Parents in New Zealand are being urged to stop using Karicare formula products for children aged from six months following contamination by a toxic bacteria.

Fonterra announced on Saturday its whey products used to make formula and sports drinks could contain a bacteria that can cause botulism.

Five batches of Nutricia Karicare Follow-On formula were made using the contaminated whey powder, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)acting director-general Scott Gallacher said.

The powder was exported to Australia, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Mr Gallacher said he had been advised the batches were not on the shelves, but said parents should use Karicare formula for 0-6 months or an alternate brand until MPI had verified this.

Nutricia had advised three batches were in a warehouse in Auckland, one on a ship, and the other in storage in Australia.

"Nutricia has advised it has locked down those batches, and they will not be sold on the market."

MPI had not been advised of any other contaminated products in New Zealand, he said.

Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye urged parents to heed the advice and seek health advice if they are concerned.

Botulism can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, paralysis and death.

About 38 tonnes of whey protein concentrate manufactured at Fonterra's Hautapu plant in Waikato were contaminated by an unsanitary pipe in May 2012.

Testing in March indicated a problem and the whey tested positive for Clostridium botulinum on Wednesday. Fonterra notified MPI on Friday afternoon.

The incident had raised a number of questions, including about the time it took Fonterra to detect the contamination and notify MPI, Mr Gallacher said.

The batches of whey product have been used in 870 tonnes of products sold in a variety of markets, he said.

"Clearly, a number of markets are very concerned about this situation."

Trade Minister Tim Groser said the powder has been exported to Australia, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Authorities were working with Fonterra to trace all potentially affected products, he said.

The World Health Organisation has been told and New Zealand authorities are keeping trading partners updated, Mr Groser said.

The contaminated powder has been in the supply chain for more than year. It was shipped to customers after it passed all quality tests in May 2012, Fonterra NZ Milk Products managing director Gary Romanov said in an email to BusinessDesk.

Fonterra said eight of its customers were potentially affected but refused to reveal them saying it was up to its customers and local authorities to recall products.

There had been no reports of illness, it said.

Milk, yoghurt, cheese, and UHT milk products are not affected.