Open Country opens butter plant
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
These include follow-on infant formula, made from whey protein concentrate contaminated with the bacteria that causes botulism.
"As soon as New Zealand authorities were notified of this risk, we immediately acted to inform relevant authorities around the world," says Groser.
"This has included formally notifying Infosan, the World Health Organisation's international food safety regulators network. As more information on this issue is confirmed we will provide our trading partners with further updates.
"We understand that the markets to which contaminated whey protein concentrate, or products using this ingredient, has been exported are Australia, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.
"New Zealand authorities are working with Fonterra to identify and trace all potentially affected products and then inform regulators around the world," says Groser.
