Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings has expressed regret for consumer anxiety caused by revelations that batches of whey protein had been contaminated.

Fonterra Fund shares have dropped by 62 cents in early trading as markets digest the impact of the contamination scare on our biggest exporter.

Fonterra's unit price is likely to take a hit this morning and the New Zealand dollar has already fallen to a month low.

Worried parents are flooding an infant formula company's hotline, amid revelations almost 68,000 cans of formula could be tainted with a botulism-causing bacterium.

Fonterra's dairy product recall made headlines worldwide, as New Zealand's export markets react to reports of the botulism scare.

Eight companies may have received the contaminated whey protein from Fonterra.

"One dirty pipe. It might have done less damage if it had exploded," writes Liam Dann.

Russia has made one of the most extreme responses to Fonterra's contamination scare so far, banning all goods made by the NZ dairy giant, according to media reports.

Authorities have recalled up to 1000 tonnes of dairy products across NZ and seven others, after Fonterra announced tests had found a bacterium that could cause botulism.

The potential contamination of Fonterra products with botulism occurred as a result of a dirty pipe at the company's Hautapu plant, it says.

Fonterra has lifted its forecast milk payout to farmers by 50 cents in the 2014 season.

What happens to NZ if China's mothers decide breast is best?

Fonterra has confirmed about 300 jobs from its head office in Auckland would go after a review of its support services, saving the company $65 million a year.

Fonterra chief Theo Spierings wants Government buy-in on a national strategy, reports Fran O'Sullivan.

The Government has announced a plan aimed at strengthening and protecting the country's 'food assurance systems' to match rapid growth in infant formula exports.

Global food giant Heinz has revealed plans to scale down production at an infant formula plant it operates in Britain and shift the work to New Zealand.

Fonterra remains confident about its push into China's branded infant formula market, despite controversy in the Chinese media this year over New Zealand-made baby milk.