Synlait managing director John Penno said he was confident its food safety systems and security standards protected the integrity of its products.
Fonterra said the Government had said there was no health risk to consumers.
“It has assessed the likelihood of the threat being carried out as extremely low,” Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings said.
The criminal threat targeted NZ and the entire dairy industry.
“We can fully assure our customers and consumers that all of our milk and products are safe and of high quality and our supply chain continues to be secure and world-class.
“We are playing our part in helping the Government manage the criminal threat, as is the rest of the dairy industry.
“We have taken immediate and decisive steps to give our customers and consumers added confidence – including increased testing and security measures.”
Fonterra had worked with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to establish a validated testing regime that was being used by the dairy industry for both raw milk and dairy products targeted by the threat.
In mid-January, Fonterra began its own testing regime to provide its customers with further assurances about the safety of its products. Fonterra was testing all raw milk it processed – testing every tanker.
It was also testing all paediatric products and nutritional base powders it made as well as all paediatric products and nutritional base powders made after September 1.
Synlait said its procedures had been specifically designed to protect against such threats.
“Food safety and product quality is our highest priority. Our standards and systems reflect this,” Penno said.
“We have full end to end supply chain control from farm to container for all milk powder and infant formula products.
“This includes quality testing of raw milk and comprehensive testing of finished product before it is loaded in shipping containers for export.”
Existing security at Synlait included a fully fenced site, electronic gates and comprehensive closed circuit television recording and swipe card access to critical key areas such as the nutritional plant.
“Since becoming aware of the threat, Synlait has taken extra precautions to increase security.
“This includes 24/7 operation of on-site security guards, photo-IDs for all staff and contractors as well as site access and staff security checks.
“Our customers are informed and we do not expect significant business interruption from this threat to the industry,” Penno said.
Trading in all listed dairy companies was halted by the stock market operator, NZX, without explanation this afternoon.
Units in Fonterra Shareholders Fund and shares of A2 Milk Company and Synlait Milk were all put in a trading halt.
The NZX Dairy Futures and Options market was also halted.
