China suspends imports of more New Zealand dairy products over contamination

China has suspended imports of lactoferrin from New Zealand-based dairy cooperative Westland Milk Products after elevated levels of nitrates were found in the product.

This incident comes just weeks after rival dairy firm Fonterra revealed that some batches of its whey protein contained botulism-causing bacteria, following which the affected products were withdrawn from sale in China, Australia, Vietnam and New Zealand.

In the latest incident, New Zealand’s agricultural regulator Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) stated that it has revoked export certificates for four consignments of lactoferrin, a naturally occuring milk compound, manufactured by Westland Milk Products.

The certificates were revoked after it was detected that the products contained high nitrate levels that exceeded New Zealand’s regulatory requirements.

These consignments were derived from two batches of lactoferrin, manufactured by Westland at its Hokitika facility.

MPI noted that the Westland Milk Products consignments exported to China were accompanied by export certificates stating that the product complies with New Zealand and China’s regulatory standards.

This was based on testing of composited batches conducted at the time of manufacturing, which showed no issue, the agency said.

Westland exported one batch of lactoferrin to a Chinese distributor, which sold the product as an ingredient for other dairy products, while the second batch was supplied to Tatua Co-operative Dairy and also exported to China.

The company stated that a small proportion of the lactoferrin was used in consumer products; however, these products are now confirmed as detained in the supply chain, and there was no affected lactoferrin used in products in New Zealand.

Westland said that the contamination occurred as cleaning products containing nitrates were not properly flushed from a production plant and called it an "isolated incident".

MPI acting director-general Scott Gallacher said that after close consideration, the agency’s technical experts believe that any food safety risk to Chinese consumers is negligible as the quantities of lactoferrin used in consumer products was very small, which means the nitrate levels in those products would easily be within acceptable levels.

"MPI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the companies concerned are working closely with the Chinese authorities on this issue," Gallacher added.

MPI stated that it had sent a team to Westland’s Hokitika facility to confirm the reason behind the problem and verify whether it is limited to the two batches identified.