Australian stockfeed manufacturer Ridley has recalled some of its products that are made with Fonterra’s potentially contaminated whey protein concentrate (WPC).
According to a report from Farm Weekly, Ridley is still going through the stocks in their warehouses to find the affected batches.
The recalled products include calf milk replacers Palastart, Topcalf and Accelerate 24/20. Ridley managing director and chief executive officer Tim Hart said more than 90 per cent of the affected product had already been returned. He also estimates that only a small amount, less than a tonne, had reached end customers.
On Monday Ridley issue a statement via the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) advising that it had instigated a product recall for all potentially affected powdered milk replacer products, majority of which are still housed in the company-controlled facilities.
According to Ridley they have been advised by Fonterra that a consignment of animal grade infant formula sold in May 2013 contained a small amount of the potentially contaminated WPC80. The consignment was used in two production runs of products which are consumed by new-born livestock such as calves, lambs and kids.
Mr. Hart says the WPC made up less than 1pc of the final product and their technical staff believes that there is low potential for it to cause any harm to animals.
“Notwithstanding that Fonterra has not received any reported cases of livestock illness, the safety of our customers and our livestock is of paramount importance to Ridley,” the company said in the ASX statement.
“Ridley is looking to resume manufacturing and distribution at the earliest opportunity and in the intervening period is using its best endeavors to meet customer requirements through existing reserves of unaffected inventory.”
The company says it has informed the state authorities of its decision to recall products and is working with agencies to ensure containment and quarantine processes are followed.
Ridley’s product recall comes in the light of a major human error which has caused New Zealand dairy exporter Fonterra to contain its products which are believed to be contaminated by bacteria that cause botulism – a potentially fatal food poisoning.
According to Reuters Fonterra says its previous tests have found that the contamination was found in a dirty pipe at one of its plants. No illnesses have been attributed to the contamination.
Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings assured the public on Wednesday that all stocks of contaminated dairy products made and exported by the company had been taken out of the market, and there was little or no risk to consumers.
