NZ infant formula among safest in world

Press Release: 10 March 2015

NZ infant formula among safest in world

Mothers in New Zealand and around the world can be assured that infant formula sourced in New Zealand is among the safest available anywhere, says the Infant Nutrition Council.

Chief Executive Jan Carey deplored the anonymous threats made to Fonterra and Federated Farmers.

She says infant formula manufacturers and exporters in New Zealand have full confidence in the safety of their products and in the security of their manufacturing processes.

“These products made in New Zealand are safe and always have been safe.

“We are absolutely confident about the safety of infant formula manufacturing in New Zealand and the products sold in supermarkets.

“Infant formula manufacturing here is safer now than it has ever been.

“Manufacturers are fully aware that they are dealing with a very sensitive product so they have added their own testing regimes on top of world best practice to deliver what is regarded as the most stringent testing processes anywhere in the world.

“They also have security measures designed to keep their products secure and safe through the supply chain. This includes external security, internal locked-down areas, and vetting of personnel who work with the product.

“Mothers can also be assured that New Zealand infant formula manufacturers use tamper-evident packaging to enable broken seals or packaging to be easily spotted.

“Mothers are urged to double-check all such seals and packaging before purchasing infant formula and to report any suspicions immediately to the supermarket.”

Mrs Carey says the INC condemns the person behind the anonymous threat.

“This is an appalling threat to the New Zealand food industry, and infant formula in particular.

“We deplore the actions of someone who can only be called a coward and the threats he or she has made against Brand New Zealand and our industry, not to mention the anxiety this will cause to mothers who rely on infant formula.

“This is likely to have serious ramifications, both domestically and in export markets.

“It’s an act of economic terrorism that all New Zealanders should condemn, and we know the authorities will do everything they can to bring this person to justice.”

© Scoop Media