Westland’s base infant formula safe and sales continue

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Westland’s base infant formula safe and sales continue

Westland Milk Products, New Zealand’s second largest dairy co-operative and third largest dairy exporter, confirmed this morning (Tuesday 6 August 2013) that its infant formula base products have tested clear of clostridium and the company has had no disruption to its export orders.

Chief Executive Rod Quin says Westland is continuing to load out orders to China and other overseas customers. He says no extra requirements for tests have been requested by the Ministry for Primary Industries although Westland is aware that information could change. A few Westland customers have requested test results or quality reassurances related to clostridium, which the company has been able to provide.

Westland Milk Products did not purchase or use any of the whey protein concentrate from Fonterra that tested positive for clostridium bacteria.

“We are pleased to have received from MPI confirmation that Westland is not impacted by bans placed on some Fonterra products by some countries. We have been able to continue to export as usual. We do not expect any long term impact on our business or our relationships with customers.”

Mr Quin says it is clear that some additional testing might be required by some markets and that the issues raised by the clostridium scare will take some time to settle, creating some short term uncertainty.

“But in the process important lessons will be learned and the net result will probably be a further strengthening of the already very high health and safety assurance processes in the New Zealand dairy industry.

“Food safety is certainly a priority for Westland and the company has an extensive and very strict protocol for avoiding contamination of milk, from the farm to the end product.”

ENDS

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