Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended advertisements of milk powder and will hold all dairy imports from New Zealand at the Colombo port after being warned that they may contain deadly bacteria causing botulism.
"The Food Advisory Committee has decided to ask the Heads of media institutions to suspend all commercials connected with milk powder," Dr Palitha Maheepala, Director General of Health Services said.
Maheepala temporarily halted the release of all imported dairy products containing whey protein yesterday after New Zealand warned international health authorities that several dairy products may contain a bacteria that could lead to botulism.
All dairy imports from New Zealand will be temporarily will be held at the Colombo port, while all dairy products containing whey protein that are already in circulation will be withdrawn from the market, Lankan health authorities said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has assured all customers that all products containing a potentially deadly bug has been removed from retailer's shelves.
