Fonterra boss Theo Spierings has revealed that testing at a Fonterra Australian plant confirmed the presence of clostridium bacteria in semi-finished product which was later blended to make the infant formula Karicare in Auckland.
"We only found it [clostridium] in semi-finished products," said Mr Spierings. He said Fonterra's Darnum Park operation extended the testing time and then raised the flag immediately its scientists confirmed the particular clostridium strain was botulinum.
But it has not been clear until now that it was Fonterra's Darnum Park operation which made the bulk infant formula base product for Nutricia, which makes Karicare in Mt Wellington.
The base product is sent to Nutricia in 25kg bags for refinement and canning. Mr Spierings noted that testing by Nutricia owner, Danone, did not pick up any problems.
Mr Spierings is promising an indepth investigation into how the contamination occurred and the entire sequence of events including the decisions made at its Australian plant.