23 August 2013

1 minute read

Oceania

The dairy giant has pledged to triple check equipment if necessary as part of its quality assurance programme for nutritional plants, launched yesterday.

But, testing revamps will only apply for Nutritional plant and remain entirely separate from export origin and destination tests which, according to Fonterra’s Group Director of Food Safety and Quality Ian Palliser are ‘working well’.

Referencing the standards failure of 42 metric tonnes of Fonterra milk powder reported in May this year, Mr Palliser said that the identification and holding of the powder while relevant companies and regulators acted on the incident was border control in action.

“Testing food products before they leave New Zealand, and again when they arrive at their port of destination, provides essential food safety assurance,” said Mr Palliser.

He added that the product remained ‘100 per cent within Fonterra’s control’ and that no food safety risk was involved.

The botulism scare has led to Fonterra admitting that they must make every effort to get the basics right.

Chief Executive at the cooperative, Theo Spierings said double and triple checks will be taken if necessary.

Current controls involve an annual winter maintenance and review of nutrition plants with ‘routine cleaning and testing’ throughout the season.

Change will start next week at the Hautapu plant before being rolled out to Fonterra's other nutrition plants.

TheCattleSite News Desk