---
title: Fonterra Manager Resigns After Dairy Contamination Scare
description: Gary Romano has resigned as the managing director of New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra following a contamination scare at the company’s Hautapu plant.
image: https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Fonterra_Manager_Steps_Down_after_Dairy_Contamination_Scare-1.jpg
---

# Fonterra Manager Steps Down after Dairy Contamination Scare

Gary Romano has resigned as the managing director of New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra following a recent contamination scare at the company’s Hautapu plant.

[![Food Safety Supervisor Course](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/home/AFS%20Sidebar.webp) ](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/food-safety-supervisor?utm_campaign=28973228-AFS%20Blog%20Sidebar%20CTA&utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=sidebarCTA)

[![Food Safety Supervisor Course](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/home/AFS%20Sidebar.webp) ](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/food-safety-supervisor?utm_campaign=28973228-AFS%20Blog%20Sidebar%20CTA&utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=sidebarCTA)

[![Food Safety Supervisor Course](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/home/AFS-mobile.webp) ](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/food-safety-supervisor?utm_campaign=28973228-AFS%20Blog%20Sidebar%20CTA&utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=sidebarCTA)

![Fonterra Manager Steps Down after Dairy Contamination Scare](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Fonterra_Manager_Steps_Down_after_Dairy_Contamination_Scare-1.jpg?width=820&height=462&name=Fonterra_Manager_Steps_Down_after_Dairy_Contamination_Scare-1.jpg)

 August 3, 2013

Gary Romano has resigned as the managing director of New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra following a recent contamination scare at the company’s Hautapu plant.

Two unnamed senior managers have also been placed on leave for their role in the food safety breach.

## Contamination

An unsanitary pipe contaminated five batches of the company’s whey protein concentrate. Three batches were held in an Auckland warehouse, another was in Australia, and the final lot was in transit when the contamination was detected. The concentrate is in an ingredient in baby formulas and sports drinks.

## Swift Action

Fonterra acted swiftly, issuing a warning to parents to avoid using its Nutricia Karicare Follow-On formula as it may contain a bacterium that causes botulism, a potentially fatal illness. Other products may also be affected.

“We are moving quickly and establishing key facts about what has happened and, as they are emerge, we are taking appropriate action,” assured Fonterra’s chief executive Theo Spierings.

## Recall

Tim Groser, New Zealand’s trade minister, says Fonterra and the authorities are working together to trace all potentially contaminated products. Fonterra’s other dairy products, including fresh and long-life milks, cheese, and yoghurt are not believed to be affected by the scare. Fonterra is also reviewing its operations in the wake of these food safety concerns.

Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Food Standards Australia New Zealand are also doing their part to investigate whether the Fonterra’s whey protein concentrate has contaminated products on Australian shelves. Both local organisations are working closely with New Zealand authorities to verify affected products and safety implications for customers in Australia and beyond.

## The Cost of Safety Breaches

The scare is likely to have serious repercussions for Fonterra. China and Russia have already banned some of its milk products, and other nations may follow as the full implications of the contamination are realised. There have been no reported cases of illness related to Fonterra’s impure why protein concentrate at this time.

![For Students](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/menu/accounts1.jpg)

## For Students

Taking an AIFS course? If you are enrolled in a course, log in here to:

- start the course or continue your progress
- complete your final submission
- check your assessment status

[Student Login](https://my.foodsafety.com.au/customer/account/login/)

![For Business](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/menu/accounts2.jpg)

## For Business

If you have a Business Account with us, log in here to:

- enrol your staff in a food safety course
- access reports and invoices
- view your order history

[Business Login](https://my.foodsafety.com.au/customer/account/login/)

![For Members](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/menu/accounts4.jpg)

## For Members

Members get unlimited access to our Resource Library. Log in here to:

- access 'how-to' guides and videos
- download custom forms, fact sheets and checklists
- search our food recall feed

[Member Login](https://resources.foodsafety.com.au/user/login)

Cancel

Need help? [Contact us](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/contact)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Australian Institute of Food Safety",
    "url" : "https://news.foodsafety.com.au/author/australian-institute-of-food-safety"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2024-11-11T18:26:00.290Z",
  "datePublished" : "2013-08-03T04:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Fonterra Manager Resigns After Dairy Contamination Scare",
  "image" : [ "https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Fonterra_Manager_Steps_Down_after_Dairy_Contamination_Scare-1.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://news.foodsafety.com.au/fonterra-manager-steps-down-after-dairy-contamination-scare",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/logos/afs-logo-horizontal-stack-green.svg"
    },
    "name" : "Moncel"
  }
}
```