Earlier this month Fonterra said it had discovered a strain of bacteria that can cause botulism in three batches of whey protein manufactured in May last year. The concentrate was sent to eight customers, including Coca-Cola and Wahaha, China's biggest beverage producer. Mr Romano was the first executive to appear publicly and face the media when Fonterra revealed the "quality issue". He later faced criticism for giving inaccurate information about a recall of infant formula on national television. (Read more: China halts milk powder imports from New Zealand, Australia ) Four separate inquiries have been initiated to examine Fonterra's handling of the contamination scare – two by the company, one by the government and one by New Zealand's food safety regulation body.