New Zealand - Food contamination

Nitrogen product used on farms suspended

A product used on some New Zealand dairy farms to reduce nitrogen leaching has been suspended after traces of its active ingredients turned up in Fonterra milk.

Radio NZ,

23 January, 2013

The Ministry for Primary Industries announced on Thursday afternoon that improved testing has for the first time shown up dicyandiamide (DCD) in milk and milk powder.

The products help farmers lower nitrate emissions and leaching from land while also growing more grass.

The ministry said there are no food safety or health concerns. However, the presence of DCD in milk, even at the small levels detected, could raise trade issues.

The ministry said at present, there are no international standards covering DCD residues in food.

It said though there may be some impact on a small number of dairy farms, the suspension is in the best interests of maintaining New Zealand's reputation as a quality food supplier.

The two largest fertiliser companies in New Zealand have suspended the use of known DCD products, as well as trying to pin down all those products that have DCD in them.

Contaminants found near Rena wreck

Radio NZ,

24 January, 2013

Scientists say there are elevated levels of copper, zinc and aluminium close to the wreck of the Rena on Astrolabe reef.

The container ship ran aground off the coast of Tauranga in October 2011 and broke in two about three months later.

Rena's insurer, the Swedish Club, said a dive survey of the wreck's sunken stern and its cargo, suggests many of the remaining containers carrying known contaminants have broken up and their contents have escaped.

Professor Chris Battershill of Waikato University said the finding of contaminants at the wreck site was expected and early indications are the pollution is localised.

He said there will be intensive monitoring for the next month to see whether the metals are going into the food chain.