Sri Lanka suspends New Zealand milk imports

Aug 06, 2013 (LBO) - Sri Lanka has suspended imports of all milk imports from New Zealand and asked Fonterra brands to withdraw any products containing whey protein, an official said.

Sri Lanka's Industrial Technology Institute has said it had found traces of DCD in several brands of milk including that of Fonterra, though the health ministry said tests in Thailand showed that was no danger.

Mahipala said that further testing is being carried out on DCD.

Director general of health services in Sri Lanka Palitha Mahipala said customs authorities have been directed not to clear any milk powder from New Zealand and Fonterra asked to withdraw from the market any product containing whey protein.

New Zealand based Fonterra sent an alert that a batch of whey protein, mostly used in baby formula, has been contaminated with the virus botulinus, where customers in countries such as China and Vietnam was involved.

Sri Lanka has also raised concern regarding dicyandiamide DCD contamination of milk.