The government has decided to amend the existing policy for importing milk powder, following a botulism (a rare and sometimes fatal paralytic illness) scare on New Zealand milk products that sparked global recalls.
The commerce ministry has already forwarded the proposed amendment to the import policy order 2013-15.
Seeking anonymity, a senior official of the commerce ministry said the amended policy recommends that milk importers should provide customs authority with documents to import milk and milk-related products, certifying that the products are free of melamine while the milk will have to come from cows that have not taken hormone growth promotion treatment.
The official said the ministry was seriously considering the issue as children’s food products from New Zealand brand Fonterra might pose threats to public health.
The amendment to milk import policy is necessary because the exporter countries do not agree to provide the importers with the required certificate.
Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahemd recently told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have already taken measures to control the import of milk. The customs department will handle imported baby milk.”
On August 4, China halted imports of all New Zealand milk powder after deadly bacteria were found in Fonterra’s milk in China on August 3. Fonterra said it had supplied contaminated milk to its customers in nine countries, including the Coca-Cola Co, Danone SA and China’s Wahaha.
Fonterra also said it had sold contaminated whey protein concentrate to eight customers in Australia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Saudi Arabia for use in a range of products, including infant milk powder, according to Reuters.
Fonterra is a large supplier of wholesale dairy ingredients to multinational food and beverage companies; it also markets its own consumer brands, including Anchor milk in New Zealand and Anlene and Anmum maternal milk formula, which are available in Southeast Asia and other regions.