Fonterra to accept four charges for whey protein recall

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has filed four charges relating to breaches of the Animal Products Act against Fonterra for the whey protein concentrate (WPC80) recall in 2013. Fonterra says it will accept all four charges.

MPI has examined whether Fonterra complied with all its food safety and quality obligations under NZ’s Food Act and Animal Products Act in connection with events leading to the precautionary recall.

“We have accepted all four charges, which are consistent with the findings of our Operational Review and the Independent Board Inquiry,” said Fonterra Managing Director People, Culture and Strategy Maury Leyland.

Leyland said Fonterra accepts responsibility for the allegations made in the charges and has cooperated fully with MPI throughout its investigation.

“We have previously detailed issues relating to the decision to reprocess the original WPC80, and being slow about escalating information - which are reflected in the charges laid by MPI,” Leyland said.

“Food quality and safety remain our top priority and are fundamental to our business. New Zealand’s dairy food production and safety systems have been affirmed by both the board and government inquiries as being as safe as any in the world.

“The WPC80 event caused us to examine in detail what happened, why it happened and what we must do to minimise the risk of it ever happening again.

“We are making good progress on implementing the necessary improvements the Operational Review and Independent Board Inquiry identified.

“We are also working with the government to progress all the recommendations of its review of New Zealand’s dairy food safety regulatory framework, undertaken last year.

“Our customers and consumers need to know that New Zealand’s food quality and safety regulations are being robustly applied by food manufacturers and enforced by New Zealand authorities.”