Infant Nutrition Council welcomes Government report

Infant Nutrition Council welcomes Government report on New Zealand food safety system

The Government’s report into the whey contamination incident shows that parents across the world can have faith in New Zealand’s infant formula industry, the Infant Nutrition Council (INC) has said today.

INC, which represents manufacturers and marketers of infant formula, says the industry and the New Zealand Government must now work together to take the actions recommended by the report and ensure the rest of world knows that our food safety regulatory model is among the best in the world.

INC Chief Executive Jan Carey said: “This report confirms that New Zealand is a world leader in food safety. Parents all over the world can have faith in the integrity of the infant formula made here.”

“It’s a measure of the credibility of the industry that it moved so quickly to prevent even the slightest possibility of risk back in August,” Ms Carey said.

INC, which represents manufacturers and marketers of 95% of the infant formula sold in New Zealand and Australia, is now working closely with the New Zealand Government and others in the sector to ensure the message of assurance reaches all parents who rely on high-quality infant formula as part of their babies’ diets.

The report makes a range of recommendations, and INC supports the move by Government to act on all of them. This includes a review of the New Zealand infant formula regulatory requirements, which is due for completion within six months.

“The issues raised are very much top of mind for the industry and for the Council,” Ms Carey says.

“As a sector, we are committed to constant improvement. We see this as an opportunity to improve manufacturing and supply processes and we will be studying the report thoroughly to ensure all the lessons are learned, as well as working closely with the Government to help deliver the report’s recommendations.

“The most important message, as is highlighted in this report, is that New Zealand continues to produce high quality products under world leading food safety systems.

INC also commends thoroughness of the inquiry and the hard work of its participants.

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