China bans New Zealand milk powder in botulism scare 4 August 2013 Last updated at 10:04 China has banned all imports of milk powder from New Zealand, after its main dairy exporter, Fonterra, found in some of its products a strain of bacteria that can cause botulism. China relies on New Zealand for almost all its imports of milk powder. Imports are highly prized in China after a tainted milk formula scandal in 2008 killed six babies and made some 300,000 infants sick. New Zealand's trade minister described Beijing's decision as "appropriate." Fonterra's announcement that it had found the contamination led to a global recall of up to 1,000 tonnes of dairy products across seven countries, including China. The potentially tainted products included infant milk formula, sports drinks, protein drinks and other beverages. Nearly 80% of dairy products imported by China come from New Zealand, according to state media. Any prolonged ban of imports could well lead to a diary shortage in China, the BBC's Martin Patience reports from Beijing. Blanket protection New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said China's action was "entirely appropriate." It's better to do blanket protection for your people then wind it back when we, our authorities, are in a position to give them the confidence and advice that they need. The Chinese authorities named four domestic companies that have imported potentially contaminated products from New Zealand. According to state media, these companies have begun a recall. The whey product was produced in May 2012, with a dirty pipe at one of Fonterra's processing plants in Waikato responsible for the contamination, the company said. Fonterra - the fourth largest diary company in the world - said it had urged its customers to urgently check their supply chains. The countries affected besides New Zealand and China include Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Russia is also reported to have begun a recall of Fonterra products.