Nutricia's Karicare products back on New Zealand shelves

The infant formula manufacturer at the center of the botulism false alarm in New Zealand said it has been confirmed that Karicare infant formula products that were affected by the Fonterra ingredient contamination are safe and now back on New Zealand shelves.

Nutricia had to recall 67,000 tins of Karicare Infant Formula as a precaution after Fonterra announced on Aug. 3 that a bacteria that could cause botulism had been identified in some whey powder.

Nutricia's general manager Corine Tap told a press conference in Auckland on Thursday the company's own testing found no evidence of clostridium botulinum in its products and it had told Fonterra and the Ministry for Primary Industries of the results.

She said it is a great relief that has been confirmed but the company had to take the actions it did to make sure babies were safe. She added the company is considering taking legal action for loss of earnings, Radio New Zealand reported.