China has blocked all imports of milk powder from New Zealand, a New Zealand minister said Sunday, after bacteria that can lead to botulism was found in some dairy products.
Trade Minister Tim Groser said the ban was "entirely appropriate", after global dairy giant Fonterra said some exported whey products including infant formula may contain bacteria that could lead to the potentially fatal illness.
China has not officially announced a ban. It said Saturday it had contacted New Zealand's embassy and asked it "to take measures to prevent the products in question from influencing the health of Chinese consumers".
In a statement on its website, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said it had ordered importers to withdraw any contaminated products and called on quarantine officials to step up inspections of dairy products imported from New Zealand.
Groser said the situation with Fonterra was "very serious" and the whey protein concentrate had been exported to Australia, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.
"The authorities in China, in my opinion absolutely appropriately, have stopped all imports of New Zealand milk powders from Australia and New Zealand," Groser said on Television New Zealand's Q&A programme.
"It's entirely appropriate they should have done that. It's better to do blanket protection for your people then wind it back when we, our authorities, are in a position to give them the confidence and advice that they need."
Groser said New Zealand was working closely with China, a major market for New Zealand infant formula exports, and other authorities.
"The trade issues are not just about China," he said.
Russia's Ria Novosti news agency reported Moscow was "recalling Fonterra's products, including infant formula and advised Russian consumers not to buy the company's other products".
Fonterra has revealed that three batches of whey product, which is used to make infant formula and sports drinks, have been found to contain the toxic bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism.
There have been no reports of any illness linked to consumption of the affected whey protein. It was made in May last year, although the contamination was only confirmed in tests last week.
The symptoms of botulism include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by paralysis, and it can be fatal if not treated.
Dairy exports are New Zealand's major earner and its products are particularly popular in Asia, where they are considered the gold standard.
According to government data the dairy industry contributes 2.8 percent to New Zealand's GDP and about 25 percent of its exports. It is worth NZ$10.4 billion (US$8.1 billion) annually.
Fonterra, the world's largest dairy exporter, reported revenues of NZ$19.8 billion ($15.5 billion) in the 2012 financial year.
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