TNS Worldpanel, global market leader in consumer purchasing information, today announced that although China’s dairy market was hit by sales spiralling downwards, there are many winners emerging from the melamine scandal. The criminal contamination of milk products in China led to the tragic deaths of four babies as well as causing over 54,000 infants to fall ill and has seen food standards bodies worldwide test and assess the safety of dairy products from China. For international dairy brands,... ...Read more »
Leading Australian retail brand Donut King has opened its first outlet in Shanghai, with additional stores to open in Shanghai during the coming months. The opening on 1 November 2008 was the result of a Master Licence Agreement between Retail Food Group and Shanghai-based Mak Brands Limited to develop and proliferate the Donut King franchise system within the People’s Republic of China. Donut King opened its first outlet in Eastgarden Sydney in 1981 and there are now more than 309 Donut King... ...Read more »
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has taken the unprecedented next step of hosting a gathering of more than 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials and NGOs in Beijing where they outlined a series of aggressive goals and expectations to build a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain. “I firmly believe that a company that cheats on overtime and on the age of its labour, that dumps its scraps and chemicals in our rivers, that does not pay its taxes or honour its contracts —... ...Read more »
Fonterra, which owns 43 per cent of Sanlu - the company at the centre of the melamine scandal in China, has denied reports it is looking to sell its stake, according to ABC Online. News reports have suggested the New Zealand dairy co-operative has been in talks to sell its share of the company in the wake of the scandal which has led to the death of four babies and the illness of about 54,000 infants. It has been considered a “criminal contamination”, with over 20 people arrested for... ...Read more »
International media reports have cast doubt about the safety of certain fruit and vegetable products exported from China including Chinese mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce. There are concerns some may be tainted with melamine, the toxic chemical at the centre of the ongoing Chinese milk scandal. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand this afternoon released a statement outlining that no products in Australia have been found to be affected but further tests were being carried out. “Australia... ...Read more »
A withdrawal of Kirin Milk Tea, made in China, has commenced in Australia by importers and wholesalers. The action began on 3 October 2008 and follows Australian test results showing levels of melamine in product available here. Retailers should not sell the product and consumers are advised not to consume Kirin Milk Tea made in China. Consumers should dispose of the product safely out of the reach of children. The product, sold primarily at Asian food stores, is the fourth product recall in Australia... ...Read more »
Cadbury’s Chocolate Eclairs, withdrawn from Australian shelves on Monday, have been found to be safe by the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety but the precautionary recall remains in place until Australian results come through. The confectionery giant announced a recall of their Chocolate Eclairs product - the only Cadbury product sold in Australia that is made at their Chinese plant - after concerns about the level of melamine were established. “We have received preliminary results that... ...Read more »
Australian food safety agencies have today advised that they continue to actively investigate and respond to melamine contamination of some products containing dairy ingredients made in China and elsewhere. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is coordinating action among Federal, State and Territory food agencies, including: * working with importers and food manufacturers in Australia to ascertain if products contain Chinese dairy product as an ingredient possibly contaminated with melamine; *targeted... ...Read more »
Confectionery giant Cadbury has withdrawn 11 products made in China, one of which - Chocolate Eclairs - is sold in Australia. Cadbury instigated a precautionary recall of Chocolate Eclairs from retailers shelves yesterday afternoon after preliminary tests revealed melamine, the chemical at the centre of the milk scandal, may be in the product. The company added that Pascal Eclairs, which are made in Australia, were not affected by the recall. The amount of melamine found is not yet known, but FSANZ... ...Read more »
In the wake of the Chinese milk scandal, which has led to the deaths of four babies and made of 54,000 infants ill, international food safety and health authorities are working together to determine the level of melamine in food that will present negligible risks to public health. “Since the identification of the problems in China, food safety authorities all around the world have been working to identify public health threshold levels for melamine,” Dr Geoff Allen, NZFSA (New Zealand... ...Read more »