2 October 2008

Contaminated dairy products in China - update

More than 54,000 infants have sought medical treatment as a result of melamine contamination of dairy products in China [1]. Three deaths have been confirmed and more than 13,000 infants remain in hospital.

Testing of milk and dairy products in China is ongoing [2] and contaminated products have been removed from retail outlets [3]. Melamine has been detected in products of at least 22 dairy manufacturers across China. Two of these companies exported products to Bangladesh, Burundi, Gabon, Myanmar, and Yemen. However, other countries have also reported finding melamine in dairy products manufactured in China [1].

The European Commission has asked all European Union Member States to test food products imported from China which contain more than 15% milk. On 1 October 2008, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency alerted the public to the withdrawal of Koala brand biscuits imported from China and found to be on sale in the UK [4]. A list of the recalled products in the UK is available on the FSA website.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted consumers to the recall of Mr Brown instant tea and coffee products by a Taiwanese manufacturer due to possible contamination [5]. A list of recalled products in the US is available on the FDA website.

A ban on further imports of milk and milk-containing products into European Union countries has also been imposed [6].

Advice for travellers

Melamine is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of laminates, glues, and adhesives. It is not an approved food additive, but is known to falsely boost the measurable level of protein when added to food products. Ingestion of melamine, particularly when combined with cyanuric acid that may also be present in melamine powder, can lead to kidney stones and kidney failure. The toxic dose of melamine is lower in children than in adults.

Travellers to China should avoid ingesting dairy products until all contaminated products have been identified and recalled. Mothers with breastfed infant children are advised to continue breastfeeding.

The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has tested infant formula and other milk products manufactured in mainland China. A list of products that tested positive for melamine is available on the CFS website.

The World Health Organization has produced a series of questions and answers on melamine.

References

1. World Health Organization. Melamine-contaminated powered infant formula in China – update 2. 29 September 2008. [Accessed 2 October 2008]. Available at

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2008_09_29a/en/index.html

2. The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. 303 batches of Chinese milk found chemical-free. 1 October 2008. [Accessed 2 October 2008]. Available at http://english.gov.cn/2008-10/01/content_1110313.htm

3. The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. China removes 7,000 tonnes of tainted milk from retail outlets. 23 September 2008. [Accessed 2 October 2008]. Available at http://english.gov.cn/200809/23/content_1103834.htm

4. Food Standards Agency. Koala biscuits withdrawn due to melamine contamination. 1 October 2008. [Accessed 2 October 2008]. Available at http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/oct/koalabiscs

5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA updates health information advisory on melamine contamination. 26 September 2008. [Accessed 2 October 2008]. Available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01891.html

6. Food Standards Agency. Melamine contamination of milk and milk products from China. Letter to Port Health Authorities. 26 September 2008. [Accessed 2 October 2008]. Available at http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/melamineovs.pdf

Link

WHO Melamine-contamination event, China, September 2008