Threat to contaminate baby formula with 1080 poison

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#1254764 10-Mar-2015 16:52

throwing up conspiracies confuse and cloud the issue with nonsense and can result in tragic results as the warnings are not taken seriously.

loceff13

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#1254765 10-Mar-2015 16:53

Further to the posts above:

Freshchoice:

Today the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Primary Industries made an announcement about a safety threat to infant formula. We know this threat will be worrying to all our infant formula customers so wanted to let you know that we are doing everything we can to keep infant formula safe in our supermarkets with increased security measures from the time the product arrives in our distribution centres, to when it is purchased in our FreshChoice stores.

As of today we are removing all formula sachets from sale and moving all Infant formula tins from the main shelf to behind our service counters or Lotto desks, so each purchase is overseen by a member of our team.

We know these security measures may be inconvenient and frustrating to customers at times, but together they mean more eyes on the product and consumer safety has to be our absolute priority.

We also ask for your support and vigilance - everyone has a role to play in checking their cans of infant formula for signs of any tampering, and by keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. If you see something you’re concerned about, please let a member of our team know immediately

ajobbins

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#1254766 10-Mar-2015 16:54

KiwiNZ: But I guess conspiracy theories are more exciting than risks to babies lives.

From what I know of Fonterra's quality control processors, the biggest threat exposure would be contamination after the product left their control - therefore, the most responsible thing to do would be to inform the public to be extra vigilant for signs of tampering.

There is clearly more to the story on why they announced today and not last month, last week or tomorrow. But what is it, and why can't they talk about it if they a) don't know who sent the threat and b) see it as low risk and unlikley to be carried out.

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networkn

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#1254767 10-Mar-2015 16:57

ajobbins:
KiwiNZ: But I guess conspiracy theories are more exciting than risks to babies lives.

From what I know of Fonterra's quality control processors, the biggest threat exposure would be contamination after the product left their control - therefore, the most responsible thing to do would be to inform the public to be extra vigilant for signs of tampering.

There is clearly more to the story on why they announced today and not last month, last week or tomorrow. But what is it, and why can't they talk about it if they a) don't know who sent the threat and b) see it as low risk and unlikley to be carried out.

The answers to your questions have been answered by at least two of us here, but obviously it doesn't fit your conspiracy thoerist take on things, so you have chosen to ignore it.

It's getting harder and harder not to see the bulk of your messages as an attempt to troll.

There are plenty of logical reasons not to publicly announce a threat until it's been verified or at least tried to be.

MileHighKiwi

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#1254769 10-Mar-2015 16:58

ajobbins:

How is today any different? How would this have been different from releasing the same thing 2 or 3 months ago?

Lethal doses of the poison were contained in the packages, the Police have to take threats seriously. If you tell the Police you saw someone carrying what looks to be a plastic rifle they will still send the AOS, they won't say "it's probably not a real gun, just go about your business as usual".

The original threat would have triggered an official 'ongoing' investigation and from reading the various news articles online it looks like a critical date is approaching, Police have not made a break through and now is the time to let people know.

Is the timing of this sinister, in relation to GCSB etc...or is it a coincidence?

I doubt 3-4 months ago when it happened they thought 'lets wait until March 10 to release this, because XYZ will be playing out in the media and we can use it to detract from that'.

MikeB4

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#1254772 10-Mar-2015 17:00

ajobbins:
KiwiNZ: But I guess conspiracy theories are more exciting than risks to babies lives.

From what I know of Fonterra's quality control processors, the biggest threat exposure would be contamination after the product left their control - therefore, the most responsible thing to do would be to inform the public to be extra vigilant for signs of tampering.

There is clearly more to the story on why they announced today and not last month, last week or tomorrow. But what is it, and why can't they talk about it if they a) don't know who sent the threat and b) see it as low risk and unlikley to be carried out.

Ask this guy

ubergeeknz

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#1254773 10-Mar-2015 17:02

It could be as simple as the group threatened to go public, they haven't quite pinned them down yet, and so they are calling their bluff. Maybe in hopes of drawing them out.

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ajobbins

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#1254785 10-Mar-2015 17:06

MileHighKiwi:

Lethal doses of the poison were contained in the packages, the Police have to take threats seriously. If you tell the Police you saw someone carrying what looks to be a plastic rifle they will still send the AOS, they won't say "it's probably not a real gun, just go about your business as usual".

I'm not for a minute suggesting the police did not or should not take such a threat seriously.

The original threat would have triggered an official 'ongoing' investigation and from reading the various news articles online it looks like a critical date is approaching, Police have not made a break through and now is the time to let people know.

Sure - buy what a huge fuss today with an 'urgent' press conference with 60 minutes notice to media? Surely if this was that a critical date approaching, a carefully planned media even would have been scheduled for today with a little more notice.

Is the timing of this sinister, in relation to GCSB etc...or is it a coincidence?

I doubt 3-4 months ago when it happened they thought 'lets wait until March 10 to release this, because XYZ will be playing out in the media and we can use it to detract from that'.

Who knows. It just seems to be suspicious that today John Key is taking heavy fire for allegations of spying against Kiwis which he is struggling (well refusing) to explain. This surely provides a distraction from that, and could be a pretext for domestic surveillance.

The press conference today came across as sparking more fear than it quelled. It was carried out in quite a dramatic way.

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Dratsab

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#1254787 10-Mar-2015 17:07

Remember though, the blackmailer said they would let the public know. Maybe something more has come through (that we don't know about) regarding a deadline for the release of this information, and this has triggered a scramble to save embarrassment?

ajobbins

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#1254793 10-Mar-2015 17:11

Dratsab: Remember though, the blackmailer said they would let the public know. Maybe something more has come through (that we don't know about) regarding a deadline for the release of this information, and this has triggered a scramble to save embarrassment?

Could very well be. I think in the absence of such information in the public domain, it's not unwise for the public to be suspicious of motives (I'm speaking more generally here). Plenty of commentators in and out of the media and politics suggesting that there needs to be further explanation as to the timing and execution of the announcement and I agree with that.

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networkn

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#1254794 10-Mar-2015 17:11

Dratsab: Remember though, the blackmailer said they would let the public know. Maybe something more has come through (that we don't know about) regarding a deadline for the release of this information, and this has triggered a scramble to save embarrassment?

One more of those "logical explanations" that I was referencing in an earlier post.

networkn

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#1254798 10-Mar-2015 17:14

ajobbins:
Dratsab: Remember though, the blackmailer said they would let the public know. Maybe something more has come through (that we don't know about) regarding a deadline for the release of this information, and this has triggered a scramble to save embarrassment?

Could very well be. I think in the absence of such information in the public domain, it's not unwise for the public to be suspicious of motives (I'm speaking more generally here). Plenty of commentators in and out of the media and politics suggesting that there needs to be further explanation as to the timing and execution of the announcement and I agree with that.

You seem far more than a little suspicious. You clearly have an agenda. Speaking to workmates and clients since this discussion started, none of them are particularly worried (Except about the threat to kids).

scottjpalmer

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#1254801 10-Mar-2015 17:17

Keep to the topic rather than casting aspersions about other Geekzoners.

ajobbins

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#1254805 10-Mar-2015 17:24

networkn: One more of those "logical explanations" that I was referencing in an earlier post.

I don't disagree and I'm not denying there could very well be a logical explanation, but at this point everything (including my suspicions) are speculation. In the absence of that explanation and in the context of the broader political landscape of late in regards to spying I don't think it's out of the question either as a motivation for today's release of information, or today being used an opportunity to push that political agenda.

We'll see what happens. In any case, I am pleased this is now out in the public arena for if this is indeed a credible threat, the public should be able to take the right precautions.

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freitasm

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#1254814 10-Mar-2015 17:34

Jobins asked a question, one that came up when things were blown out of proportion by a sensationalistic move by NZ Police.

He never denied the police should investigate and never said the threat was not a serious one.

He is curious about the timing which coincides with the current political events regarding security.

Instead a bunch of you decide to attack him personally.

Pull your heads in folks.

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