The Infant Nutrition Council welcomes the audit of New Zealand’s regulatory regime concerning infant formula exports, which was announced today by Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye, CEO Jan Carey said.
“The council welcomes any steps by the Government that help give consumers confidence in the safety and quality of infant formula manufactured in New Zealand.
“The Minister’s insistence that the audit includes work on verification, compliance, and testing regimes is excellent news.
“Infant formula is a very delicate product, and for consumers to have confidence in the safety of the product and New Zealand’s reputation they must be aware of the tight rules that the government has in place around its manufacture and marketing.
“INC members, which include some of the biggest food companies in the world, already meet strict standards, many of them self-imposed. We must ensure everyone complies.
“It’s also great to hear that the Minister is keen to work closely with the industry to ensure consumer needs and expectations for formula are met, and INC is ready to assist in that regard.â€
INC comprises the major manufacturers and marketers of infant formula in Australia and New Zealand as well as those who produce it for export to China and other Asian countries, including Abbott, Bayer, HJ Heinz, Nestle, Nutricia, Fonterra, Synlait, New Image, Westland, and Dairy Goat Co-operative. Members must adhere to the INC Code of Conduct, which supports the integrity of the industry, and the INC Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula in New Zealand.
Source: Scoop
