The false alarm over Fonterra's botulism scare has resulted in a relieved food industry - but prompted questions about how testing failed on an epic scale.

Fonterra's food scare was put quickly into perspective when the dairy giant raised its 2014 farmgate milk price payout to a record $7.80 a kg of milk solids.

New Zealand may boost the number of trade specialists in Asia in the wake of Fonterra's botulism and DCD scares, Prime Minister John Key says.

After Fonterra's Sri Lankan stand-off at the weekend it is tempting to say the company is having a shocker of a year, writes Liam Dann.

New Zealand dairy exports remain stuck on Chinese wharves, more than three weeks since Fonterra's botulism contamination crisis erupted.

When it comes to the Chinese consumer, most people don't know what they're talking about.

World dairy prices rose 2.3pc in the latest overnight auction, suggesting overseas buyers aren't fazed by the latest milk scare.

The Ministry for Primary Industries says it is exploring interim measures to strengthen consumer assurances about dairy production after the recent food contamination scares.

The contamination scares that have hit New Zealand's two biggest dairy co-operatives this month will cause Chinese consumers to "think twice".

China quarantines Westland Milk product after tests show levels exceed permissible limit.

More than two weeks into Fonterra's botulism contamination crisis, New Zealand-made Karicare baby milk commands pride of place in many Hong Kong retailers.

The Government has asked Queen's Counsel Miriam Dean to chair its review into the Fonterra food scare.

Culture - it's a word that can be filled with meaning or thrown about in a way that means nothing at all.

Trade Minister Tim Groser warns further international bans on New Zealand dairy exports remain a real threat after the Fonterra botulism scare.

The Fonterra contamination scare has claimed its first scalp with Gary Romano, Managing Director NZ Milk Products, resigning with immediate effect.

New Zealand's 100 per cent Pure image is suddenly being questioned by its loyal Chinese customers, writes Hua Dong.

The Government plans to force a largely forgotten five-year-old bill through Parliament in three weeks to allow a short, sharp "Government inquiry" into the Fonterra botulism scare.

Damage to the brand not yet known, boss says, as rivals report boosted sales on back of infant formula recall.

Ralph Norris is to lead Fonterra Cooperative Group's board inquiry into the botulism contamination scare.

The Cabinet will today discuss establishing a commission of inquiry into the Fonterra food safety crisis, but it may be a week away from finalising details.

If you've had a bad week at work, I hope you're having a relaxing and wonderful weekend. And no matter how bad your week was, it surely can't have been as bad as the week the Fonterra management and board have had.

Quite rightly, the main news over Fonterra's infected products has been the physical threat to the customer, writes Matt McCarten. Or more importantly, the children of its customers.

Questions remain over the status of potentially contaminated Karicare infant formula sold through unofficial channels in China, despite Fonterra's assertions that all products affected by its botulism scare have been contained.

Chinese consumers haven't been mincing their words over the Fonterra botulism debacle this week.

British news website Daily Mail Online says New Zealand's claims to be clean and green are "pure manure".

Fonterra has admitted sending potentially contaminated whey protein concentrate to a high school after it was requested for a science project late last year.