Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus have announced ban on the import and sale of New Zealand-based Fonterra's products following a contamination scare.
Earlier this month, Fonterra announced that the batches of whey protein, which is used for the manufacture of infant formula, beverages and animal feed, contained bacteria that poses risk of botulism.
Botulism, a dangerous form of food poisoning, is caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which attacks the nervous system and can affect people of any age group.
Consumption of food contaminated by such bacteria can lead to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
The whey protein concentrate was exported to China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.
New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said that the three Soviet states had imposed ban on the products although none of the potentially affected product was shipped into these regions.
Fonterra stated that the company is working with the authorities of these three states to reassure them about the safety of its products.
Fonterra region general manager Miles Hurrell said that the company supplied butter and cheese to the Russian market and did not use whey protein concentrate in the products.
