Random tests conducted on Fonterra milk products

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting tests on random samples of Fonterra milk products that may possibly be contaminated with botulism-causing bacteria.

“We coordinated with the FDA and they said that even if we are not among the affected countries, they will be conducting a random sampling to check if there is a possibility (of contamination). They are also going over their data to check if these products are really not in the product registry,” National Dairy administrator Grace Cenas said yesterday.

Fonterra Philippines, the local arm of New Zealand’s Fonterra, has assured the public that dairy product exports to the Philippines have not been contaminated.

Among the Fonterra-branded products being sold in the country are Anchor, Anmum, Anlene, Perfect Italiano and Mainland.

“All of our consumer branded products in the Philippines are safe for consumption and unaffected by this issue,” said Fonterra Brands Philippines general manager Carlo Mendoza.

The New Zealand government warned over the weekend that some Fonterra products exported to Australia, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam contained contaminated whey protein.