MPI expands Karicare formula warning

By Simon Wong and Kate Harley

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says the information it is receiving about the contaminated whey protein in infant formula is ever-changing.

It has expanded its advice about the contaminated Karicare infant formula, saying none of the recalled products should be used.

Acting Director-General Scott Gallacher says he expects to release more information about the contaminated products either later today or tomorrow.  

Mr Gallacher now says none of the Nutricia Karicare Infant Formula Stage 1 for babies from birth and the Stage 2 Follow On Formula products from any batches should be fed to children until further notice.

He says the information may seem contrary to product maker Nutricia’s recall, but it was the Ministry’s "best cautionary advice".

"The MPI has not been able to fully trace and track through Nutricia’s supply chain which batches may contain the contaminated whey protein and which do not, and whether batches are in New Zealand stores or not."

More information could emerge in the coming days from Fonterra and Nutricia, he says.

• READ MORE: List of products recalled

Fonterra has given the ministry new information this morning, but is still figuring out the ramifications it could have for customers. The Ministry has also visited the site in Hautapu, Waikato where the contaminated whey protein came from, to make sure the line is no longer in use.

"The new information relates to the trail or scope of ingredients which had been provided to Nutricia," Mr Gallacher says.

"We want to make sure we can track where those ingredients are and the new information we have can allow us to narrow where we can find the contaminated product."

Questions need to be asked of Fonterra about the timeliness of when the Ministry was notified of the contaminated product, he says.

But those questions would need to be answered later because the Ministry was dealing with the "here and now".

Parents to get 'the reassurance they deserve'

Meanwhile Nutricia has faced up to media today at what it says is a very difficult and concerning time.

Nutricia insists its Karicare recall is a precautionary measure after advice from Fonterra that some of the whey it has supplied may be contaminated by a toxic bacteria.

Nutricia says its products have passed all of its own testing, but has issued the recall on Fonterra's advice.

Initially Nutricia was told five batches which had not yet reached the market had been affected. However, on Saturday the company found out that in fact three further batches could also possibly have been contaminated.

The recall of possibly contaminated batches equates to 60,000 tins of product which have been on sale since July. It applies only to products being sold in New Zealand.

Managing Director of Nutricia Australia and New Zealand Corine Tap told a press conference this morning she understands parents' concerns. She says Nutricia is working with Fonterra and the Ministry for Primary Industries to ensure they have all the information they need.

"Our primary focus is to give Kiwi mums the reassurance they deserve. Safety is our primary concern," Ms Tap says.

Nutricia has a 24-hour 'Kareline' information service where concerned customers can call or email to get the correct information. Three thousands calls and messages have been received so far and additional staff have been put in place to take care of the increased volume. However, many parents are still reporting having difficulty getting through.

All products covered by the recall should be returned to their place of purchase for a full refund.

Units in Fonterra's Shareholder Fund have plunged to their lowest level this year in the wake of the bacteria contamination, falling 8.6 percent this morning to $6.51. 

Fonterra's chief executive Theo Spierings has rushed to China, where the major importer of New Zealand milk powder has suspended imports and ordered products pulled from shop shelves.   

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