Fonterra commended for progress on inquiry recommendations

Fonterra Co-operative Group has been commended for its implementation of improvements after last year’s recall of whey protein concentrate WPC80. The Independent Inquiry Committee conducting a review of the recall incident has completed a nine-month checkpoint of the company’s progress.

This checkpoint was itself one of the Committee’s recommendations.

“The Committee was unanimous in its view that Fonterra management has brought a clear focus to rectifying the areas of weakness identified last year during the Inquiry,” said Committee Chair Sir Ralph Norris.

“It was particularly pleasing to see evidence of the holistic and disciplined approach being taken to implementing changes that will further strengthen the cooperative.”

Fonterra’s progress to date includes:

• 75% completion of audits of Fonterra-owned plants globally and, where necessary, maintenance/improvements underway.
• A protocol in place for engagement of external scientific and diagnostic resources, including appropriate engagement of experts.
• Food safety and quality written into all senior management employment contracts.
• The establishment of a fully functioning Incident Management Team.
• The creation of a Food Safety and Quality Council.
• The appointment of Greg McCullough as Head of Food Safety and Quality.
• The implementation of a quality hotline.

In 2015 the committee will consider a final report from Fonterra that will outline progress on initiatives already underway and detail how each of the inquiry’s report recommendations have been addressed.