Smaller dairy companies confident of quality

 Westland Milk chief executive Rod Quin says its products are secure “while within our manufacturing and distribution systems”.

“It is important to note that this situation has not arisen as a result of any deficiency in New Zealand’s world-class food quality systems,” Quin says. “This is a criminal threat and is being treated as such.”

The country’s second biggest dairy cooperative says there is no evidence that the safety of its products has been compromised by a threat to contaminate infant and other dairy formula with 1080. 

New Zealand police are investigating the letter sent to Fonterra and Federated Farmers threatening to contaminate infant formula with 1080, raising concern the action may hurt sales of dairy products, the nation’s largest export.

Canterbury processor Synlait Milk says its food safety systems and security standards have been specifically designed to protect against such threats.

Synlait managing director John Penno says food safety and product quality is its highest priority.

 “We have full end-to-end supply chain control from farm to container for all milk powder and infant formula products. This includes quality testing of raw milk and comprehensive testing of finished product before it is loaded in shipping containers for export.”

Existing security at Synlait includes a fully fenced site, electronic gates, closed circuit television recording and swipe card access to critical areas such as its nutritional plant. 

Since becoming aware of the threat, Synlait has taken extra precautions to increase security. This includes 24/7 deployment of on-site security guards, photo-IDs for all staff and contractors and site access and staff security checks. 

“Our customers are informed and we do not expect significant business interruption from this threat to the industry.”

Supermarkets boost security

Supermarket are also beefing up security around infant formula on sale.

Progressives, the operator of Countdown stores, is removing all formula sachets from sale and moving all infant formula tins from the main shelf to behind service counters.

The company says each infant formula purchase will be overseen by staff.

“CCTV will be on the product at all times in storage and when behind the service counter and, we are also undertaking random sampling of infant formula product,” it says.

It also asked shoppers for support and to exercise vigilance.

“Everyone has a role to play in checking their cans of infant formula for signs of any tampering, and by keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. If you see something you’re concerned about, please let a member of our team know immediately.”