Fonterra Fallout: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Bent on Investigating Botulism Scare, Food Safety Systems [VIDEO]
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key promised to investigate Fonterra as the government continues to pressure the country's premier dairy brand to come out with all the information to reduce the damage to New Zealand's international reputation due to the botulism scare.
The prime minister said there will be possibly two inquiries because of the suspected bacterial contamination in milk products, including the probe on Fonterra. Mr. Key said Fonterra executives will have to answer questions beginning with the length of time it took the government to know about the issue, the processes and the company's general approach to the botulism scare.
The second inquiry will be more likely to dig deeper into food safety issues and systems. Mr Key refused to comment on Fonterra's performance but recommended that the company focus on assuring New Zealand and the rest of its international consumers of public safety measures. Despite the prime minister's refusal to comment on the matter, he made it clear he was not satisfied with the company's initial response.
Mr Key said the full extent of the suspected botulism bacteria contamination remained unknown. Fonterra's information kept changing, and Mr Key believes there are more products involved than what was originally known. Until the New Zealand government gets that information, authorities cannot give absolute certainty to pacify the nation's trading partners and local consumers.
When asked if Fonterra was intentionally withholding information, Mr Key said he doesn't believe the allegation but expects the company to justify its recent decisions.
The New Zealand government has been taking action to contain the Fonterra fallout. Officials from the Ministry for Primary Industries were sent to Fonterra's offices to obtain clear information. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce was in a meeting with Fonterra executives on Aug 5.
The Fonterra CEO has apologised for the botulism scare due to bacterial contamination in baby formula powder. The milk powder contamination prompted China to ban the company's dairy products.
