Fonterra brands products in Malaysia safe

The Ministry of Health Malaysia has confirmed that Fonterra brands products in Malaysia are not contaminated or affected by the botulism scare and therefore safe to consume.

The milk products bearing the names Nutricia Karicare Stage 1 Infant Formula and Nutricia Karicare Stage Follow-on Formula which have been slapped with an import ban are not from the Fonterra stable and therefore not connected to Fonterra Brands Malaysia. Similarly, the product from Danone Dumex for which the Ministry has urged consumers to avoid is also not a product of the Fonterra brands.

David Ross, Fonterra Brands managing director has had his hands full assuring Malaysian parents that the company’s milk products were safe despite the confusion caused by various news reports stating otherwise. Speaking to Astro Awani, he reiterated that all Fonterra-branded products in Malaysia were not affected by any issues regarding safety of ingredients.

“The safety assurances was given by the Ministry of Health after subjecting our products for a series of tests, and no Fonterra Malaysia product contains the whey protein concentrate WPC80” he said.

He added further confusion was sown when some reports in the media continued to mistakenly link it to products manufactured by other producers.

Fonterra Malaysia has gone on to issue a statement declaring that none of its consumer branded products – Anlene, Anmum, Anchor/Fernleaf were affected and are safe for consumption.

The botulism scare first surfaced when it was revealed that the WPC80 protein concentrate manufactured by Fonterra New Zealand was suspected of being contaminated by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

The New Zealand authorities meanwhile have confirmed that WPC80 suspected of being contaminated with the bacteria have not been imported into Malaysia.

Inspections carried out by the Malaysian MOH on 16 companies that produce and manufacture milk products locally including Fonterra Malaysia Sdn Bhd DO NOT contain Premix infant formula or follow on formula that contains contaminated WPC80.

Ross added that consumers who require up-to-date information can call 1800 883122 or visit the MOH Food Safety Quality Division.