New Zealand Rattled By Contamination Threat To “Infant Formula”: Gov’t Reassures Parents As Vigil Is Up

New Zealand was rattled by panic and anxiety on Tuesday after the police disclosed that suspected environmental activists have threatened to contaminate infant formula in New Zealand, in order to force their demand for banning its use as an agricultural poison against pests and possums. As the largest dairy products exporter in the world, for New Zealand, the prospect of milk contamination will be a big challenge and can create scar on its image. So, the Government has moved fast and reassured parents that nothing is amiss and it is a hoax, though investigations are on.

The New Zealand police had revealed that several letters were received by the national farmers' group and dairy giant Fonterra in November 2014, that were accompanied by packages of infant formula, laced with the poison 1080. The letters also set a deadline to end the use of the poison by March 2015. But police reassured that no traces of the poison were found in any products in the factories. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) also sought to assure consumers that chances of contamination are extremely low.

Customers Reassured

"We are confident that New Zealand infant and other formula just as safe today as before this threat was made. People should keep using it as they always have," said MPI's deputy director-general Scott Gallacher.

Police also said security has been stepped up in all production facilities with more vigil maintained on the supply chain. Police deputy commissioner Mike Clement, in a statement said, no further letters had been received barring the initial few, and the matter was being treated as blackmail rather than terrorism.

The toxic poison 1080 is used extensively in New Zealand for controlling pests such as stoats, rabbits, deer, rats, and possums. But Conservation groups are against its use because they allege adverse impact on native wildlife. Occasional protests are common against its use.

Targeting Economy

For New Zealand's, dairy products account for a quarter of the export earnings, and forms more than 7 percent of its gross domestic product. The scrutiny on New Zealand infant formula has been up after a false alarm was raised in 2013, that the product might have been contaminated by a toxin causing botulism. That scare had caused a worldwide product recall.

Meanwhile, police appealed to the public to stay calm and sought their help to find the blackmailer behind the threat. At a media conference, top cop Mike Clement said, “I'm confident we will get more information from the public.” He said police had "many persons of interest" in their watch list and will nab the person who sent such threatening letters.

Almost 45,000 batches of Infant Formula have been tested. Ministry for Primary Industries deputy director-general Scott Gallacher said all tests have returned negative for 1080. Meanwhile, Dr. Pat Tuohy, chief medical advisor at Ministry of Health, said if any parent is facing the problem of an extremely unwell baby, he should call 111 and get the baby to hospital, whether they thought 1080 was involved or not.

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