There has been alarm from mothers around the world over the weekend after a New Zealand company announced a recall of over 1000 tonnes of dried milk products possibly infected with botulism.

Dairy giant Fonterra has called for the return of several batches after it found evidence of the dangerous bacteria in samples of whey protein. The bacterium is of a strain known to cause botulism, a sometimes fatal disease which harms muscles and attacks the respiratory system.

Fonterra called for the return of five batches of Karicare formula which were produced using infected stock. One of the five batches was being stored in Australia, but spokespeople for the company have said it tested negative and that none of Nutricia’s Australian products have been affected. The Department of Agriculture has reported only one Australian company imported a batch, and it has now been cleared.

China has reportedly halted all imports of dried milk products from New Zealand - a big blow to the export industry – while investigations continue.

New Zealand's primary industries spokesman Damien O'Connor says it is now up to the company to rigorously search stock for signs of infection; “Fonterra has a big job to get out there to clarify exactly where this product might have gone and then to reassure people that their brand is one of high quality safe food.”