Contaminated milk powder from NZ poses no threat to Ireland
There is no threat to the Irish market from contaminated milk powder used in baby formula.
The bacteria botulism was found in a batch of whey powder made in New Zealand and produced by the Fonterra company. The powder is widely used in baby milk formula.
The product has been recalled for precautionary measures and consumers here are being told there is nothing to worry about, as none of the contaminated product was imported to Ireland.
"Fonterra has signalled their intention to recall the product," said Jack Kennedy from the Irish Farmers Journal. "A very small percentage of their powder was contaminated with this bacteria."
"There have been no reports of sicknesses - there's absolutely no indication that any of the product has reached Ireland," he said.
Botulism is an illness which causes paralysis, and is caused in turn by a toxin made by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. The toxin is also used in the cosmetic treatment Botox.
