Four batches of potentially contaminated infant formula have reached Hong Kong and Australia, the Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed this afternoon.
MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) acting director general Scott Gallacher said two batches sent to Australia had been contained in a warehouse, while another two were released for distribution in Hong Kong.
He said a product recall had been issued and MPI were working with representatives in Hong Kong.
Mr Gallacher said Australian authorities have identified all potentially contaminated products which have entered from New Zealand.
The contaminated whey protein concentrate from one manufacturing plant was used to manufacture 900 metric tonnes of product, he told media.
Mr Gallacher said all unsold potentially contaminated infant formula had been secured and locked away in warehouses, aside from the products which had been recalled by product maker Nutricia.
MPI were also looking at potentially contaminated stock feed that was subject to a product recall by New Zealand AgBiz.
Mr Gallacher believed all of it had been identified.
He said there were other products that were exported from New Zealand in relation to whey protein concentrate.
"It may have been used to make other products including, but not limited to, infant formula.
"We have provided overseas regulators with the specific information in relation to each of these products allowing them to trace the products within their countries.
"We will be providing our risk assessments on the product ranges that may contain whey protein concentrate to overseas regulators to assist their decision making; these are based on expert opinion and analysis of the production processes for these products."
