18 Feb 2014

Key reassuring Chinese over food scare

2:24 pm on 18 February 2014

The Prime Minister expects to go to China late next month to repair the market and reassure consumers there following the Fonterra botulism scare.

The dairy co-operative pulled products, including infant formula, from the shelves last year, after fears it had been contaminated with a bacteria that can cause botulism. Later tests showed the products were not tainted with the bacterium.

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Photo: SUPPLIED

John Key says he will travel to China to answer those basic questions about the false alarm and how it was handled "to give absolute assurance that our food safety standards are top notch."

Mr Key says demand for New Zealand dairy products in China is again rising.

"Actually the numbers are going through the roof of products being sold to China. I think our two-way trade is now $18.2 billion. Dairy products are flying out the door in China."

He says the Chinese do not appear to be requiring an apology from the New Zealand Government over the scare.