Fresh contamination scare for New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra
In the latest blow to New Zealand's reputation as a food producer, company involved in infant formula scare in 2013 faces recall of cream infected with E coli bacteria
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra faced a new contamination scare on Tuesday with the forced recall of nearly 9,000 bottles of cream which had been tainted with the E coli bacteria.
The fresh cream had been produced for domestic consumption in the North Island.
Fonterra Brands New Zealand Managing Director Peter McClure said he did not want to speculate on how the contamination occurred.
But he told Radio New Zealand it was unlikely to have come in with the milk from the farms, and it was “almost impossible” the contamination could have been deliberate.
It was the first time in 18 years a Fonterra product had tested positive for E coli, which is found in human and animal faeces and can cause infections and symptoms similar to food poisoning.
“We wouldn’t want this at any time and certainly now is not a good time for us either, but we’re doing everything we can,” McClure said.
