Warning to stay alert over milk powder

Parents have been urged to remain vigilant for signs of tampering as the deadline for the 1080 milk powder blackmail scare passed yesterday.

A police spokesman said up to 40 staff were working on Operation Concord, launched in response to the blackmail threat.

''The advice to parents remains the same as before, in that they should continue showing vigilance.

''The investigation is making good progress and police are talking to a large number of people who may have information which is relevant,'' the spokesman said.

Details of what the investigation had cost police was unavailable, he said. Police were pleased with widespread public support for the investigation.

''The reaction we've had shows that the public, including those who are opposed to the use of 1080 for pest control, have little tolerance for the person or persons who have made this threat.''

The spokesman would not comment on the testing of a tin of infant formula taken from a Dunedin supermarket on March 19 after staff found holes in its aluminium seal.

However, the spokesman said all the tests for contamination had come back negative for the poison.

Foodstuffs Ltd managing director Steve Anderson said in a statement the company's supermarkets, including New World and Pak'n Save, were maintaining heightened surveillance, including the presence of milk monitors beside the infant formula.

In smaller New World and Four Square stores, there were different security measures.

Security also remained in place at Countdown supermarkets, a spokeswoman said. Infant formula had been placed behind the counter.

''Customers have told us that they are very supportive of the additional measures that have been put in place,'' the spokeswoman said.

Letters with a lethal dose of 1080 powder were sent to Fonterra and Federated Farmers in November.

The letters contained a threat to contaminate infant and other formula with 1080 if the poison was not banned by the end of March.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

 


Who to contact

• If you have any questions about what to feed your baby, call Plunketline 0800 933-922 or Healthline 0800 611-116.

For more information go to foodprotection.govt.nz.


 

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