Statement from Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess:
In response to several media inquiries this afternoon Police can confirm the Operation Concord team has received a number of calls from members of the public concerned with possible infant formula product tampering, such as possible pinpricks in packaging lids.
In response to these calls a number of tins of product have been collected and secured by Police and all information relating to the incidents has been provided to the Operation Concord team and is in the process of being assessed. Tins of formula are being forensically tested where appropriate.
Police appreciates the public's continued vigilance in reporting any concerns about infant formula, which will be thoroughly followed up. At this stage there is no information from these incidents which suggests the public is at risk.
Agencies continue to encourage people to be vigilant when buying infant and other formula and to check all product for tampering, as outlined in the MPI customer leaflet found at www.foodprotection.govt.nz and available at supermarkets.
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Media please note there will be no interviews given in relation to this statement.