Wahaha claims that no botulinum toxin has been found in its products

On August 4th, Zong Qinghou, chairman of the Wahaha Group, said in an interview that Wahaha conducted a review of the factory inspection records of the use of the whey protein product and that no botulinum toxin was found. Wahaha currently entrusts a national authority to stay on the product. Samples were tested for Clostridium botulinum and botulinum toxin, and product recalls have also started simultaneously.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine announced on the 4th the list of four imported companies, claiming that these Chinese importers imported New Zealand Fonterra products that may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, and two subsidiaries of the Wahaha Group are listed.

Wahaha said that after receiving information on the quality of New Zealand whey protein on the 3rd, Wahaha immediately organized a self-examination. Wahaha imported 14.475 tons of WPC-80 whey protein produced by New Zealand Fonterra in May 2012, batch JW22. The whey protein is used in acidic products such as calcium and drink, and Wahaha conducts a review of the factory inspection records of using the whey protein product, and no botulinum toxin is found.

Wahaha said that related products were sold from October 2012 and basically completed sales. Currently, sales personnel are required to check whether the market and retailers still have products related to the lot number. Once they are found, they will be recalled immediately. At the same time, Wahaha has entrusted the national authorities to conduct samples of products for the detection of Clostridium botulinum and botulinum toxin.

Wahaha said that according to the FDA and NZFSA New Zealand Food Safety Agency, Clostridium botulinum is strictly anaerobic and cannot grow in environments with a pH value below 4.6. Wahaha said that the use of whey protein products pH between 4.1-4.3, Clostridium botulinum can not grow in a highly acidic environment, Wahaha products can not produce botulinum toxin.

Wahaha also said that the pathogenicity of Clostridium botulinum lies in the botulinum toxin produced by it, and the botulinum toxin protein toxin is sensitive to heat. According to Wahaha's production process, the process needs to be sterilized many times. Even if there is botulinum toxin, there is no residual risk after high temperature sterilization.