7 Aug 2013

Fonterra woes not expected to leak to other dairy products

2:26 pm on 7 August 2013

The Dairy Companies Association does not expect any serious trade disruption for dairy products not connected to the Fonterra contamination issue.

DCANZ is stressing the point that only Fonterra whey products or those containing whey protein ingredients processed by Fonterra are caught up in any trade restrictions or product recalls.

China has suspended imports of Fonterra whey protein concentrate and base powder because of the botulism contamination scare - products Finance Minister Bill English says are worth tens of millions of dollars.

But DCANZ executive director Kimberly Crewther says there has been no sign of disruption to the vast array of other dairy products ranging from fresh milk and powders to cheeses and spreads.

"The formal notifications that we've received around the market access confirms that the markets have had a very measured response," Ms Crewther said.

Markets were acting in a way which focussed on the affected product, she said.