Dive Summary:
- China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has ordered that all New Zealand lactoferrin suppliers must test for nitrate following discoveries of high levels in Westland Milk Products Co.'s lactoferrin powder.
- Westland, meanwhile, will need to test all of its products coming into China.
- The Chinese agency has impounded 860 pounds of Westland's powder since the nitrate discovery.
Dive Insight:
New Zealand dairy companies are facing increased scrutiny at home and abroad right now, thanks to botulism-causing bacteria found in Fonterra milk powder and the Westland incident. Ultimately, easing importation concerns will be vital for New Zealand's dairy industry as the country seeks to ease safety concerns over its products.