Anonymous Threat Made to New Zealand Dairy Products

WELLINGTON, New Zealand--New Zealand has increased testing and upped security around dairy products after an anonymous threat was made to contaminate dairy baby formula and other formulas in protest over the use of pest poison.

In a joint news conference, New Zealand police and Ministry of Primary Industries said anonymous letters had been received in November by both Fonterra Co-Operative Group and Federated Farmers, threatening to contaminate formula with sodium fluoroacetate, a pesticide otherwise known as 1080.

New Zealand uses the poison widely to control introduced species such as rabbits, stoats and possums.

"Whilst there is a possibility that threat is a hoax, we must treat the threat seriously and a priority investigation is underway," said Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement.

The Ministry of Primary Industries said it has tested 40,000 raw milk and product samples since the threat was made and 1080 hasn't been detected.

It has also put in place additional measures to protect infant formula including strengthening measures in retail stores and enhanced milk and milk product testing.

"We are confident that New Zealand infant other formula is just as safe today as it was before the threat was made," said MPI Deputy Director General Scott Gallacher.

Write to Lucy Craymer at [e-mail]

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