Milk powder produced in New Zealand by Fonterra, the world’s biggest dairy exporter has been found to be contaminated with botulism causing bacteria. The contamination was confirmed by Fonterra to have come from 3 batches of their whey protein concentrate.
China, which import 80% of their milk powder from New Zealand have temporarily suspended imports of all Fonterra milk powder and whey products from the country and also products that arrive via Australia. According the South China Post, Tim Groser, the trade minister for New Zealand said he believed China had acted absolutely appropriately. It is expected the ban will be lifted once more tests have been carried out.
So far, there have been no reported cases of illness from consuming these contaminated batches.