Fonterra Reveals Findings in Botulism Contamination Probe

NEW ZEALANDMultiple factors led to a botulism scare at Fonterra, the dairy exporter said today a week after the New Zealand government revealed the products did not have the potential to cause the sometimes fatal disease.

The tainted whey protein concentrate known as WPC80 and used in infant formula and other food was contaminated due to "the use of an item of non-standard equipment" and the company's decision to reprocess the product, Fonterra said following its operational review.   

Fonterra attributed delays in testing the contaminated product to a "one-off lapse in information sharing across two parts of the business", and the company acknowledged that the matter should have been brought to the attention of its chief executive, Theo Spierings, earlier than it was. 

In August, Fonterra informed regulatory authorities and customers that three batches of whey protein concentrate was tainted with Clostridium botulinum. The announcement rattled international markets and prompted an investigation into the matter by the New Zealand government.

Last week, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries disclosed 195 tests of WPC80 that were conducted in the United States and New Zealand tested negative for Clostridium botulinum, which has the potential to cause botulism. Botulism is a rare but sometimes fatal disease, and some symptoms include blurred vision, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The bacteria that was actually found in Fonterra's products is not associated with any food-safety issues, although certain strains may be linked to food spoiling, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Food-Safety Improvements

Fonterra today announced a number of measures to prevent a similar incident, including the creation of a Group Director of Food Safety and Quality. The individual will report directly to Spierings.

Fonterra intends to increase its focus on safety across the supply chain and improve transparency inside and outside the company while bolstering the speed at which information is shared. Fonterra also announced measures to improve its product recall and supply management systems. In addition, the company plans to collaborate with customers in efforts to tie together different supply chains and rapidly trace products.

Last month, Fonterra revealed implementing a program that will provide additional quality assurance for its six nutritional plants beginning with its Hautapu facility.

"The additional quality assurance at Hautapu and our five other nutritional plants over the coming months will encompass further checking and serving of all equipment and processed to ensure they continue to meet the highest possible international standards," Spierings stated in the Aug. 22 announcement.