Fonterra gains inquiry members, loses MD of milk products

The Fonterra board has appointed several more members to its WPC80 inquiry committee, as well as losing its managing director of NZ milk products.

Professor Stuart McCutcheon, Vice Chancellor of the University of Auckland, will join the committee as an independent member, effective immediately. Professor McCutcheon and retired High Court Judge Dame Judith Potter are the committee’s two independent members, and will work alongside five Fonterra directors and Jack Hodder, a Chapman Tripp QC, who is undertaking a review of events for the committee.

Jacob Heida, an international expert on the manufacturing and safety of foods and food components, has been appointed to assist with the technical aspects of the review. Heida is an expert in whey production processes and standards for infant food ingredients and a current member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Netherlands Controlling Authority for Milk and Milk Products.

Gary Romano has resigned from his role as managing director NZ milk products, with immediate effect. Fonterra Chief Executive Theo Spierings will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of NZ milk products until Romano’s successor is appointed.

Inquiry Chairman and Fonterra Independent Director Sir Ralph Norris said the first inquiry committee meeting, which was held yesterday, had confirmed the terms of reference for the inquiry.

“With work now underway, the committee is focused on a thorough and independent investigation into all relevant aspects of the WPC80 quality issue and will speak further about the findings of the inquiry when our deliberations are complete,” Sir Ralph said.