Fonterra today (22 August) “refuted” claims it has not complied with a ban on selling and advertising products in Sri Lanka.
The world’s largest dairy exporter faces contempt of court charges amid allegations it continued to distribute and market milk powder after a two-week ban was introduced on Friday (16 August). Fonterra was hit with the ban after Sri Lankan tests claimed to show products contained the agricultural chemical DCD
A local nursing union has reportedly claimed Fonterra distributed powder to retailers on Saturday and issued leaflets on Monday to say the products were safe.
Executives from Fonterra’s local subsidiary have been summoned to appear in court tomorrow.
However, a Fonterra spokesperson told just-food the company disagreed with the claims. “We refute the application made to the court alleging Fonterra has not complied with the enjoining order,” the spokesperson said. The company is “complying with all aspects of the enjoining order”.
After a set of new tests, Sri Lanka’s Industrial Technological Institute (ITI) has since cleared the products. The court, however, has not yet given Fonterra the all-clear.
Dr. G.A.S.Premakumara, CEO of the Industrial Technology Institute, confirmed the Fonterra products held at the port, which were manufactured during April and May, are void of DCD and are therefore fit for release into the market.
He added the products that had earlier been found to be contaminated with DCD were those manufactured during September, October and November 2012.
