DHAKA: New Zealand has said that Fonterra products at the centre of a global contamination scare did not contain botulism-causing bacteria.

The scare had triggered a recall and import bans from some countries.

However, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries said tests suggested the presence of a different type of bacteria that does not cause botulism.

Fonterra is the biggest dairy firm in New Zealand, which is the world`s largest exporter of dairy products.

"The bacteria found in the whey protein concentrate (WPC) manufactured by Fonterra is not Clostridium botulinum," the ministry said in a statement.

"The organism is confirmed as Clostridium sporogenes. It is therefore not capable of producing botulism-causing toxins."

Recently, customs authorities in Bangladesh have restricted the import of more than 600 tonnes of powdered milk mainly from New Zealand-based Fonterra pending mandatory chemical tests.

Fonterra, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, was caught up in a contamination scare this month after it found bacteria in some of its products that could cause botulism. It also disclosed it had to withdraw 42 tonnes of milk powder bound for China because of high nitrite levels.

The move by Bangladesh comes after the commerce ministry asked customs officials in the port city of Chittagong to exercise caution in releasing any Fonterra-branded dairy products. In the year to June, Bangladesh imported 20,741 tonnes of milk powder, mainly from Fonterra.

BDST: 1849 HRS, AUG 28, 2013
AKA/RIS