China's top quality watchdog warned Chinese consumers on Tuesday not to eat a batch of fresh cream products being recalled by Fonterra.

The statement came after the New Zealand-based dairy giant said Monday it was conducting a recall involving 8,700 bottles of fresh cream containing E. coli bacteria that were distributed in New Zealand.

 "This recall only involves product that is sold in New Zealand. None of the affected product was exported to China and no Anchor cream products sold in China are affected," Fonterra said in a statement e-mailed to the Global Times Tuesday.

While the products were not exported to China, they may have been brought home after overseas purchases or sent to China through parcels, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement Tuesday.

The statement said that the products were produced on January 6 with a best-before date of January 21.

It was the second dairy scare involving Fonterra within six months, after Fonterra said in August that some exported whey products to China may contain botulism-causing bacteria. 

On January 8, French food group Danone announced it was suing Fonterra for compensation after the French firm recalled its infant formula brands in Asian countries and regions. Danone also said it was terminating its supply contract with Fonterra.