Brendan Trembath reported this story on Monday, October 3, 2011 12:26:00

PETER CAVE: One of Australia's biggest retailers is trying to reassure customers that a recall of some of its home brand milk is just a precautionary measure.



Woolworths says the product may contain a small amount of cleaning solution. The retailer has set up a toll free hotline for concerned customers.



Brendan Trembath reports.



BRENDAN TREMBATH: Woolworths has a public relations problem. Some of its milk may be tainted and consumers are not happy.



The retailer has declined to make anyone available for an interview but has released a statement.



EXTRACT FROM A STATEMENT FROM WOOLWORTHS: The product is being recalled as the product may contain a small amount of food grade dairy cleaning solution. The milk products may have a yellowish colouring and/or a metallic or chemical taste.



Food products containing cleaning solution may cause illness to some if consumed. No other h home brand milk products are affected by this product recall. Any customer who has this product can return it to Woolworths supermarkets for a full refund. We apologise for any inconvenience.



BRENDAN TREMBATH: A spokeswoman for Woolworths says the recall is a precautionary measure.

The milk affected is sold under Woolworth's home brand label.



While it carries the Woolworths name the retailer is attempting to shift the blame to the supplier, Parmalat Australia, a subsidiary of one of the world's biggest milk companies.



A spokesman for Parmalat has not returned calls seeking comment. The company has also put out a statement.



EXTRACT FROM A STATEMENT FROM PARMALAT: Food products containing cleaning solution may cause illness if consumed. Consumers should not drink these products and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.



BRENDAN TREMBATH: The wording of the Parmalat statement is very similar to the one from Woolworths, suggesting a coordinated response by the two companies.



EXTRACT FROM A STATEMENT FROM PARMALAT: We apologise for any inconvenience.



BRENDAN TREMBATH: That's unlikely to quash some of the concern in the wider community.



The well known columnist Mia Freedman appears to be one of the victims. She's complained about the tainted milk on the social media site Twitter.



"Great, just had it in my tea," she wrote in one of the postings and Mia Freedman says the Woolworths customer hotline was no help when she called it.



She was told they had no details. The number for what it's worth is 1800 103 515.



That is 1800 103 515.



It's important to note at this stage the affected milk was sold by Woolworths in New South Wales only.

It's in a three litre bottle with a use by date of October the 12th.



Woolworths says the recall is related to a recall by Parmalat of two other affected products.



Parmalat has recalled two litre bottles of Pura Milk and three litre bottles of Daisy Fresh Milk. They both have a use by date of October the 12th.



Parmalat says this milk has been on sale in New South Wales and the ACT.



The World Today contacted Food Standards Australia New Zealand.



It says it is not involved. A spokeswoman says it's a food recall. She says the food standards code is enforced and implemented by the states and territories in case by the NSW Food Authority.



PETER CAVE: Brendan Trembath reporting.