Confidence in imported milk powder damaged

Chinese consumer confidence in foreign milk powder has been shaken after toxic bacteria was found in imported dairy products from New Zealand.

Dairy giant Fonterra said on Aug. 2 that some of its whey protein produced in May 2012 was found to be contaminated with clostridium botulinum.

Chinese netizens have expressed anger over the milk scandal committed by a trusted foreign supplier, especially after traces of dicyandiamde, a potentially toxic chemical, was found in some Fonterra products in January.

Zheng Juan, a mother of a two-year-old girl in Tianjin municipality, said she will not be buying New Zealand milk powder, as toxic bacteria is terrifying.

"We used to think imported milk powder was better than domestic products," Zheng said.

Netizens are also upset at the late disclosure by Fonterra, as the whey protein was produced in May 2012 but problems were only reported this month.

According to Zhu Yi, associate professor in food science and nutrition at China Agricultural University, clostridium botulinum can grow in canned food which has been poorly processed, packaged or stored, thus posing a threat to babies below the age of one.

On Sunday, China's importers began to recall and seal products produced by Fonterra after the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine named four domestic companies that have imported whey products which may be tainted.

The four importers are China's biggest food and beverage firms Hangzhou Wahaha Health Food Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Wahaha Import &Export Co., Ltd., Shanghai Tangjiu (Group) Co., Ltd. and Shanghai-based Dumex Baby Food Co., Ltd., according to the administration.

The State Food and Drug Administration has told companies to stop the sale of and recall all such products.

New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser agreed with China's response, saying that "the authorities in China, in my opinion absolutely appropriately, have stopped all imports of New Zealand milk powders from Australia and New Zealand."

Foreign milk products appeal to Chinese customers after a series of domestic food scandals. Milk tainted with the chemical melamine killed six children and left many others sick in 2008.

In the first half of this year, China imported 371,000 tonnes of milk powder from New Zealand, accounting for 83.3 percent of total imports, according to Chinese customs data.

The latest scare will provide an opportunity for domestic producers to regain customers.

Gu Jun, a professor with Shanghai University, said the New Zealand scandal offers an opportunity for Chinese dairy companies to rebuild consumer confidence in domestic milk powder.

Gu suggested that Chinese producers show the quality of domestic products in order to take steps in replacing imported milk powder.