New Zealand Infant Formula Held at Chinese Port

New Zealand government has pledged to uphold a “1080 free” policy on all batches of infant formula shipped to China prior to the 10th of Mar 2015, totaling over $15 million. Despite the great lengths gone to ensure product integrity the 1080 issue has already seen some products held in Chinese ports by local CIQs.

In response to the threats leveled against New Zealand milk formula manufacturers regarding usage of the rodenticide 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), AQSIQ has ordered each batch of milk powder imported from NZ to be issued with a NZ government issued 1080 free certificate as of 10 Mar 2015. (see ChemLinked News 13 Mar 2015)

"The requirement for those certificates have applied to all exports from after the 10th of March, which means any exports that left the country prior to that, our understanding is that they don't require this stuff" says an MPI official. Yet according to NZ exporters products shipped in February have been inspected and held at port for further testing due to lack of the 1080-free certification. NZ government is currently engaged in dialogue to help resolve this issue.