The FDA plans to check Asian markets for Chinese-manufactured milk products following revelations that nearly 53,000 children in China have become ill after consuming products that contain melamine, a chemical that is widely used in plastics, adhesives, countertops, dishware, whiteboards, according to the World Health Organization. The chemical was apparently added to milk that had been watered down, to hide that the milk had been diluted – melamine increases the nitrogen content of the milk and therefore its apparent protein content when tested.
Melamine is the same chemical that was found in pet food in 2007 that killed many dogs and cats in the United States. There are no human studies of the health effects of melamine but, in animal studies, melamine causes bladder stones and, when combined with cyanuric acid (which may also be present in melamine powder), can form crystals that can give rise to kidney stones.
Several countries and the European Union have imposed bans on milk products from China. The FDA says there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured in the United States and will be checking Asian markets for stock that might contain Chinese-manufactured milk products. Similarly, the European Food Safety Authority says that, while the import of milk products from China is prohibited, food products such as biscuits and chocolate, which could be made from contaminated milk powder, may have reached the EU. The agency has provided scientific advice on a tolerable daily intake of melamine. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to test natural health products for melamine and has identified some products sold in Canada that might contain melamine.
Reporters could localize this international story by checking local markets, especially those that specialize in Asian products, and seeing what they offer for sale or what stores have taken off the shelves since learning about the melamine contamination. Talk with local and state health officials about safety standards for imported foods and who is expected to enforce any such standards.
Some related information:
FDA update reveals seven products that may be contaminated (Sept. 26, 2008)
The FDA is alerting consumers that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products are being recalled by the Taiwanese company, King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd., due to possible contamination with melamine. King Car Food Industrial Co. used a non-dairy creamer manufactured by Shandong Duqing Inc., China, which was found to be contaminated with melamine.
FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination (Sept. 23, 2008)
The FDA says there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products in the United States. The FDA contacted companies who manufacture infant formula for distribution in the United States and received, from the companies, information that they are not importing formula or sourcing milk-based materials from China.
FDA/USDA Joint News Release: Scientists Conclude Very Low Risk to Humans from Food Containing Melamine (May 7, 2007)
There is very low risk to human health from consuming meat from hogs and chickens known to have been fed animal feed supplemented with pet food scraps that contained melamine and melamine-related compounds, according to an assessment conducted by scientists from five federal agencies.
Melamine and Analogues Safety/Risk Assessment (May 25, 2007)
This document describes the risk to human health associated with eating pork, chicken, fish and eggs from animals that had been inadvertently fed animal feed that may have been adulterated with melamine and its analogues (cyanuric acid, ammelide and ammeline). It was prepared by the FDA in collaboration with the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, and in consultation with the CDC, the EPA and the Department of Homeland Security.
European Food Safety Authority comments on risks to public health (Sept. 24, 2008)
The import of milk and milk products originating from China is prohibited into the EU, however composite food products such as biscuits and chocolate, which could be made from contaminated milk powder, may have reached the EU. Therefore, the European Commission has requested EFSA to provide scientific advice on the risk for human health related to presence of melamine in such composite foods.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Melamin
The agency will test selected samples of natural health products containing significant amounts of milk proteins, such as nutritional supplements or protein bars to determine whether melamine contamination is present. The agency has also identified some products that are sold in the country that could be at risk for contamination.
Chemical Safety Card from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Characterization of melamine-containing and calcium oxalate crystals in three dogs with suspected pet food-induced nephrotoxicosis
Thompson ME, Lewin-Smith MR, Kalasinsky VF, Pizzolato KM, Fleetwood ML, McElhaney MR, Johnson TO.
Vet Pathol. 2008 May;45(3):417-26.
PMID: 18487505 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
World Health Organization resources
