Fonterra's top executives have told the New Zealand government they're sorry for the whey protein contamination crisis.
Chief executive Theo Spierings and chairman John Wilson went to the Parliament building on Friday for a "please explain" meeting with cabinet ministers Steven Joyce and Nathan Guy.
"They said they were sorry for what has happened," Mr Joyce told reporters.
"They advised us on what they were doing with their two internal inquiries. We said that's good, but the Ministry for Primary Industries will hold its own inquiry, and possibly another investigation will be held by the government."
Mr Guy, the minister for primary industries, said the discussions were free and frank.
"I expressed my disappointment in the mistakes that had occurred. They were sorry for the mistakes that had occurred. We all want answers and we will work through investigation."
Mr Spierings didn't confirm there had been an apology.
"Everybody is disappointed with what has happened," he said after the meeting.
"Both sides have outlined what will happen next."
The whey protein was used in infant formula and its contamination with a bacteria that could lead to botulism has had worldwide repercussions.
There have been recalls and some customer countries have banned New Zealand milk powder products.
Mr Spierings said all the affected products were off the market and there was no further risk to consumers.
He's defended the length of time it took Fonterra to tell the government about the contamination and said timelines were within notification regulations.
"The timelines we have in front of us show how we acted, and they are in line with the law," he said.
Mr Wilson said Fonterra would call in international experts for its own inquiry.
The contamination apparently was caused by a dirty pipe at Fonterra's Hautapu plant near Cambridge.
Mr Spierings said no disciplinary action had been taken against anyone, and the inquiries would reveal how and why the contamination occurred.
