Fonterra says prepared for any re-test of its milk products
View(s):Fonterra Sri Lanka said this week that it was open to any independent re-test or investigation of its milk products.
“.. We are confident – with the right process – (that) this will lead to the same conclusion all other Governments around the world have already reached: that our products are safe,” said Leon Clement, Managing Director, Fonterra Brands – Sri Lanka.
In a statement to coincide with World Milk Day which was marked yesterday, Mr. Clement said the company is committed to growing its investment to develop Sri Lanka’s dairy sector and share some of the world class dairy expertise in New Zealand with Sri Lanka.
“That’s why it’s important to keep some perspective on the recent DCD issue. There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about the quality of imported New Zealand milk powder. People have every right to ask questions and seek answers. In an effort to answer these questions, Fonterra and the New Zealand Government have provided all the relevant scientific information available to anyone who has questions on this issue – including a raft of independent, third party expert information,” he said.
However, he noted that, there is a point at which Fonterra has to stand up and say ‘let’s get some perspective’ on the misinformation that is being driven by parties with vested interests in this issue continuing.
Many people who have relied on dairy nutrition to feed their families are confused at the moment about whether they can continue to trust milk products they have been enjoying for generations. That does a disservice not only to imported milk powder, but to the whole Sri Lankan dairy industry and more importantly it has the potential to affect the nutritional benefits of milk consumption as a whole, he said.
“DCD has never been a food safety issue. The table salt sitting in your kitchen is a bigger potential health risk as DCD is more than three times safer than common table salt. The fact that milk powder in Sri Lanka is 100 per cent safe has already been confirmed by the World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health, and multiple independent and internationally accredited food safety testing laboratories,” he said.
“It’s important Sri Lankans have access to the right information and do not lose faith in the valuable role both local and imported dairy has to play in overall nutrition. This not only protects the health of the nation but will overall help the continued investment and growth of the local diary industry,” Mr. Clement said in the statement.
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