Clostridium Botulinum not detected in over 400 Whey samples - MRI

Clostridium Botulinum has not been detected yet in over 400 Whey protein samples tested at the Medical Research Institute, the MRI said.

Earlier this month, the Director General of Health Services told producers and distributors to remove all milk products and nutritional supplements containing whey protein until further notice.

The Health Services Director General temporarily halted the release of all imported dairy products containing whey protein from the port after New Zealand warned international health authorities that several dairy products may contain a bacteria that could lead to botulism.

Meanwhile, the latest report by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) has found no traces of the chemical dicyandiamide (DCD) in 7 samples of imported milk powder held by customs at the Colombo Port. 

The report on these samples was handed over to the Health Ministry’s Food Advisory Committee. It confirms that these samples contain no DCD.

Therefore the Ministry of Health has granted approval for the release of these relevant stocks of milk powder to the market.