Melamine

[marine1]

After talking to a guy yesterday I thought this would make for interesting reading.
He seemed to know what he was talking about. Seems that a major milk supplier in SA is using Melamine to increase false protein ratings:

1. What is melamine?
Melamine (also known as tripolycyanamide) is an industrial chemical used for the production of melamine resins, which are used in laminates, glues, adhesives, molding compounds, coatings, paper, textiles, flame retardants or superplastisizer for concrete.

2. How did melamine get into infant formula?
The adulterant melamine was added to the milk to cause a false increase in the measurement of protein for dairy products. It is not allowed to be added to food in any quantity.

3. What is the toxicity of melamine?
Melamine has low oral acute toxicity. However, excessive exposure to melamine has been found to cause urinary stones in experimental animals. Laboratory studies showed that melamine did not damage genetic materials in cells. There was also inadequate evidence to show that melamine can cause human cancers.

4. How were infants being affected by melamine containing infant formula?
Recently, tens of thousands of infants in the Mainland who have consumed Sanlu infant formula are suffering from renal disease, including urinary stones, conditions of which are rare in infants. Infants are more susceptible to urinary stones formation because milk is their major food, the amount of melamine intake per body weight is much higher than that of adult who consumes a variety of foods. Also, it was found that Sanlu infant formula contained especially high level of melamine (up to 2563 mg/kg) that may affect the elimination of the chemical from the body.

5. What are the clinical presentations of the development of urinary stone after the consumption of melamine containing infant formula in infants?
The clinical presentations included irritability, blood in urine, little or no urine, stone in urine, pain and difficulty in urination, and high blood pressure etc.

6. How are adults being affected by the consumption of melamine containing milk?
Based on Mainland’s situation, over 99% of victims affected by consumption of melamine containing milk were below three years old. As the sensitivity towards melamine is lower and milk is not a major food source of adults, the health risk of adults in consuming melamine containing milk is lower.

7. What are the health effects of melamine to pregnant women and fetus?
Based on Mainland’s situation, over 99% of victims affected by consumption of melamine containing milk were below three years old. There is currently no human data available on the health effects to pregnant women and fetus. Available animal studies did not show evidence that it would produce defects in developing fetus.

8. What are the health effects of melamine to elderly?
Based on Mainland’s situation, over 99% of victims affected by consumption of melamine containing milk were below three years old. There is currently no human data available on the health effects of melamine to elderly. However, milk only constitutes a part of the total food consumed by the adult population and the risk is relatively low.

9. What are the health effects for consumption of food containing melamine for a long period of time?
There is currently no human data available regarding consumption of food containing melamine for a long period of time. Information based on data from animal studies showed that melamine is rapidly cleared from the body. However, based on Mainland’s information, over 99% of victims affected by consumption of melamine containing milk were below three years old; majority of them was affected three to six months after the consumption of contaminated milk.

10. What products were found to contain melamine in the Mainland?
The list of products that were found to contain melamine and their manufacturers is posted on the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine of People’s Republic of China. Consumers can check with the official website for updated information.

11. Are those melamine contaminated infant formula including the Sanlu formula and those formula tested with melamine by the Mainland available in Hong Kong?
No, they are not found to be available in Hong Kong . People who have purchased the product outside Hong Kong should stop consuming the product immediately.

12. Has melamine been found in any infant formula, other dairy products or food products available locally?
The CFS has taken from the local market samples of infant formula and other milk-made products, such as fresh milk, ice-cream, ice-cream bars, yogurt, baby food, nutrition supplements for hospital use, instant drink mixes, biscuits, cakes, bread, chocolate and candies etc. for tests. As at 30 October 2008, a total of 39 samples of 18 brands of food products were found to contain unsatisfactory amount of melamine ranging from 1.4ppm to 68ppm. The sample results are available in the web site of CFS, www.cfs.gov.hk. The highest level of melamine was detected in one biscuit sample. All the affected products are being off shelves and withdrawn from the market. CFS will continue to monitor the situation closely.

 

[marine1]

13. How will consumers be affected by the biscuit with 68ppm of melamine?
The level of melamine detected in the biscuit sample was 68 ppm. Based on this level, normal consumption will not pose major health effects. However, it is not advisable for small children to eat the biscuit. According to US Food and Drug Administration, the tolerable daily intake (TDI), i.e. the safety reference value for melamine is 0.63 mg per kg of body weight per day (Since children under three are more sensitive to melamine, safety reference value is set at 0.32 mg per kg of body weight per day for children under three). Results of risk assessment indicated that a 60-kg adult who consumes more than 0.56 kg (i.e. about 28 packs or 280 pieces) of the biscuit in question per day would have the dietary exposure to melamine exceeding the safety reference value, whereas a 3-year-old child with a body weight of 10 kg who consumes more than 0.05 kg (i.e. 2.5 packs or 25 pieces) of the biscuit per day would have the dietary exposure exceeding the safety reference value. However, the result of risk assessment varies with the exact level of melamine in food. If a higher level of melamine is detected in similar products, the required amount of food consumed that will exceed the safety reference value would be lower. Transient excursion above the safety reference value for melamine would have no health consequences provided that the average intake over long period is not exceeded.

14. How will consumers be affected by the melamine contaminated milk beverage?
Assuming a milk beverage containing 10 ppm melamine, a 60-kg adult who consumes more than 3.8 kg (about 15 cups) of the milk in question per day would have the dietary exposure to melamine exceeding the safety reference value, whereas a nine kg two-year-old child who consumes more than 0.29 kg (more than one cup) of the milk per day would have the dietary exposure exceeding the safety reference value. (The assessment is based on a more stringent safety reference value of 0.32 mg per kg body weight for young children as explained in Q13). However, the result of risk assessment varies with the exact level of melamine in food. If a higher level of melamine is detected in similar products, the required amount of food consumed that will exceed the safety reference value would be lower. Transient excursion above the safety reference value would have no health consequences provided that the average intake over a long period does not exceed the value.

15. How much of the food that exceeded the legal limits for melamine one have to consume before the safety reference value is exceeded?
For the details on the amount of food a person has to consume daily before the safety reference value is exceeded, you may click onto the link. As the susceptibility to melamine differs between young children and adults, we have included two sets of limits (a three-year-old child with 10 kg body weight and an adult with 60 kg body weight) as examples. However, transient excursion above the safety reference value of melamine would have no health consequences provided that the average intake over a long period has not exceeded the safety reference value.

16. What is the advice to consumers?
Caregivers should not feed infant formula or other milk products that were contaminated with melamine to infants and young children. Individuals should seek medical advice if they have urinary symptoms including the development of urinary stone and with history of exposure to melamine containing dairy products.

17. How can the public get information on dairy products contaminated with melamine?
Public can call CFS's telephone hotline at 2381 6096 (Monday to Friday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ) for enquiry. There will be no service on Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. Public can also refer to CFS's website for the updated test result of the dairy product samples.

18. What is the legal limit for melamine in food in Hong Kong?
Under the amended Harmful Substances in Food Regulation (Cap. 132 AF), milk, any food intended to be consumed principally by children under the age of 36 months and any food intended to be consumed principally by pregnant or lactating women shall not contain melamine exceed 1 mg/kg. For other food, melamine level shall not exceed 2.5 mg/kg.

19. Can the enforcement limits of melamine in food protect public health?
The legal limits we adopted have incorporated a safety margin of at least two folds of the safety reference value (i.e. TDI), which has already incorporated a safety factor of 100. The health of children and adults will not be affected upon consuming foods that comply with the enforcement limits. For melamine intake, occasional excursion above the safety reference value would have no health consequences provided that the average intake over a long period does not exceed the value.

20. How about legal/ enforcement limits set by other overseas authorities?
As of 29 September, two overseas food agencies announced the enforcement limits for melamine in food:

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) announced on 29 September that it sets the limit of 2.5 mg/kg for most foods (final form) before regulatory action is considered. However for infant formula, this level will be set to the level of test detection of 1 mg/kg.

The EU made a Commission Decision on 26 September that Member States shall destroy all consignments originating in or consigned from China of composite products containing more than 15 % or an unknown content of milk with melamine at levels exceeding 2.5 mg/kg.

21. Why doesn't CFS report the melamine levels of the satisfactory products?
Currently, food products including milk, food intended to be consumed principally by children under the age of 36 months, pregnant or lactating women containing melamine at levels below 1 mg/kg and other food containing melamine at levels below 2.5 mg/kg are considered satisfactory. Food products containing melamine below these levels should present no health risk to the public. Quantifying and reporting the melamine levels of these satisfactory food products require additional resources and take longer laboratory testing time The Expert Group on Melamine Incident set up by the Government opined that, at this juncture, resources should be utilized to examine more high risk foods rather than on checking levels below the regulatory limit of 1 mg/kg. The public is assured that consumption of food products meeting the regulatory limits would not put their health at risk. Both children and adults are well protected by the local enforcement limits.

22. Will there be any risk if all the foods we consume everyday contain melamine at the levels just below the legal limits?
When the regulatory standards were set, we have taken into consideration the scenario that all the foods we consume everyday contain melamine at the levels just below the legal limits. A margin of safety has also been built in. The legal limits for melamine are 1 mg/kg for milk, any food intended to be consumed principally by children under the age of 36 months and any food intended to be consumed principally by pregnant or lactating women and 2.5 mg/kg for other food. Based on the best available science and results of risk assessment, there is no risk to public health even if all the foods we consume everyday contain melamine at the levels just below the legal limits i.e. total dietary intake of melamine will not exceed the safety reference value (0.32 mg/kg bw/day for infants and young children three years old and below and 0.63 mg/kg bw/day for others).

 

[Surv0]

Which major supplier is adding melamine?

 

[marine1]

I dont know, the guy I met yesterday was at a anti fur march in Rosebank. He was going on about it but said they will not release the name of the milk supplier. I am trying to search on the net to find any info but all I can find is stuff on Nestle' which we all know about.

 

[LancelotSA]

Two of Nestle's products have been removed from the shelf for being slightly over the accepted level of melamine. I do not think it is sensible to start a panic about it at this stage. The health department was on the ball and the products have all been removed from the shelves. I will double check which products they were.

I do not think irresponsible reporting will help in this situation. When Etv reported on it the other day they made a point of showing visuals of Milo.... now Milo IS NOT one of the affected products! Very irresponsible and reeks of the usual sensationalism reporting we are exposed to.

This "source" of your is probably also basing his entire argument on this and he knows no more! He is probably getting his info via the "broken telephone" syndrome.

 

[LancelotSA]

The products removed are : Lactogen 1 and Nido 1+
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2432907,00.html

What is SA doing?
http://www.dairyconnect.co.za/dairyMail/issues/dec2008/promiseofsandal.djhtml

 

[FnuckNut]

Two of Nestle's products have been removed from the shelf for being slightly over the accepted level of melamine. I do not think it is sensible to start a panic about it at this stage. The health department was on the ball and the products have all been removed from the shelves. I will double check which products they were.

I do not think irresponsible reporting will help in this situation. When Etv reported on it the other day they made a point of showing visuals of Milo.... now Milo IS NOT one of the affected products! Very irresponsible and reeks of the usual sensationalism reporting we are exposed to.

This "source" of your is probably also basing his entire argument on this and he knows no more! He is probably getting his info via the "broken telephone" syndrome.

Start a panic? Do you have small kids on milk feed? Do you trust this government to look out for our best interests? It took them a helleva long time before withdrawing those products since it first came to light that China was killing children with this poison. As a major importer of Chinese and Indian products we should have been the first to detect such danger. They should ban ALL Chinese and Indian Food products indefinitely. Then I will believe they have our interest at heart and not Nestlé’s et al.

As for your Milo comment; any milk based product is now suspect, even chocolates. Powdered milk and other products from China and India are cheap. So members rather be safe than sorry. Its YOUR Kids. DO NOT TRUST THIS GOVERNMENT WITH THEIR LIFE.

PS: And do not forget that those same withdrawn milk products were found reentering the market via street vendors. Only Gawd knows where else they are dumped to protect the profit margins.

Make your kids safety your first priority.

 

[LancelotSA]

Well let's blow your first argument out of the water F_ckNut! Yes, I do have a little baby of three months! So now that you are on the back foot again and no longer have your high ground let's chat further!

In fact do your own research if you are so concerned about your children's well being. I did mine and am fairly satisfied. Bottom line is what choice do you have? Your child can't drink cows milk just yet (and who says that is not contaminated as the stories coming out are that the cow's feed contained melamine) so what are you going to feed them (assuming they are not on breast milk)? Who says the other brands are all clear?

F_ckNut, some advice for you then, with your total distrust for this country and it's government, stop eating chocolate, biscuits or any other products that may contain milk powders! In fact don't stop there.... any product on the shelves could be contaminated with something else, so I suggest moving onto a farm and growing all your own products! It is the only way you will be safe! But be careful the seeds you buy are not contaminated!

Paranoid is the word that comes to mind....

 

[LancelotSA]

...

What has Nestlé South Africa done in the light of recent developments in China?
Melamine is a contaminant which is widely present in the food and feed chain. This can contribute to the presence of low levels in food products which do not pose a health risk. Nestlé is aware of this and has been conducting ongoing tests on finished products and raw materials since recent developments in China around this issue. Nestlé will not release product to the market should it find that the levels of melamine exceed the internationally accepted norms.

How credible are Nestlé’s testing methods and quality systems?
Nestlé’s testing methods meet recognized international standards as part of our Quality assurance system. Nestlé applies very strict quality control measures and risk assessment at all levels of our raw material sourcing and manufacturing process.

Do our products contain melamine?
In general terms, melamine is found throughout the natural food cycle across the world in minute traces which do not represent any health risk for consumers. This is why the EU and the US have legislation setting limits for melamine in food.

Now I can just hope the other companies using milk powders in their products are doing the same thing... or have the resources Nestle has to allow them to do so.

 

[FnuckNut]

Well Paranoid is the word that comes to mind....

Congrats with the baby, joy of life and your heart and just the more reason to not put your overbearing faith in this government health protection system.

I would rather be paranoid than trust the safety of this government with the health of my child. If you are so secure fine as you trust this government with every fiber in your body and your "research" will be based on their findings. In the past this government has showed clearly with various issues where health and company profits are concerned where there loyalty rests.

Again if you are so secure FINE. Leave others to raise concerns so each individual can make up his own mind regards to the safety of his family. I for one do not trust this health department of ours and least this government to look out for my and my family’s safety.

Other countries, the first world, banned imports of all milk related products from China when this surfaced. The same happened with dangerous and illegal toys imports. What did out government do? Issued a watered down warning much later than when it first surfaced, confiscated or withdrawn the products from shelves and they end up in the less informal market.

I will rather accept advice and information from Marine1 regards this issue as we all know how dedicated you are toward the ANC and this government as we all experienced via your posts in the past. I am not so sure that you would have your own interest at heart at all.

 

[FnuckNut]

...



Now I can just hope the other companies using milk powders in their products are doing the same thing... or have the resources Nestle has to allow them to do so.

Explain then why Nestlé’s poisoned products DID reach the shelves and then the street markets after they were withdrawn.
Company PR at best to save face and much needed profits and you believe it?

 

[LancelotSA]

So suggest a solution? What is your baby going to eat?


Actually after reading this part of your post rather just take part of the advice provided by the first part of your name and ... off.

I will rather accept advice and information from Marine1 regards this issue as we all know how dedicated you are toward the ANC and this government as we all experienced via your posts in the past. I am not so sure that you would have your own interest at heart at all.

You are clearly only interested in hearing the story which states all corporates are out to f_ck you and that the government is sh_t. I would rather use Nestle products now than any other as all eyes are on them. Their name is at stake.

 

[FnuckNut]

Some food for though about how widespread the danger of Chinese consumer products are. From food products to animal feed.

Just read and shudder. Also compare the paranoid actions of the first world countries to that of our country. It is just sickening; I will never be able to watch my baby gorge down a bottle of milk wondering if at all it is safe. I will demand test certificates from the company producing the milk formulae that includes the batch number.


http://www.itchmoforums.com/recall-...by-formula-tied-to-kidney-stones-t6256.0.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7614083.stm

 

[d0b33]

In the US the FDA found traces of Melamine in milk products, guess what they did? Upped the safe levels to nearly toxic so business would not be affected.

 

[LancelotSA]

FnuckNut, have you actually read your newly googled links that you posted?

Both those articles are about China itself!


It might also be of interest to you for me to point out that China is not first world! So back to Google it is for you to find some more links to shock me with!

 

[FnuckNut]

In the US the FDA found traces of Melamine in milk products, guess what they did? Upped the safe levels to nearly toxic so business would not be affected.

A link of prove and consumer responses would be nice to have and consider.

Well suited response of the "suspected" product.

New Zealand-based dairy product company Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd, a part-owner of Sanlu, ordered a recall of about 700 tonnes of powder contaminated with melamine believed to be in circulation.

 

[d0b33]

A link of prove and consumer responses would be nice to have and consider.

Sure, since you asked so nicely.

FDA Sets Melamine Guide for Baby Formula
FDA sets standard for melamine in baby formula higher than level found in US-made product
By JOAN LOWY
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Less than two months after federal food regulators said they were unable to set a safety threshold for the industrial chemical melamine in baby formula, they announced a standard that allows for higher levels than those found in U.S.-made batches of the product.

Food and Drug Administration officials on Friday set a threshold of 1 part per million of melamine in formula, provided a related chemical isn't present. They insisted the formulas are safe.

The setting of the standard comes days after The Associated Press reported that FDA tests found traces of melamine in the infant formula of one major U.S. manufacturer and cyanuric acid, a chemical relative, in the formula of a second major maker. The contaminated samples, which both measured at levels below the new standard, were analyzed several weeks ago.

The FDA had stated in early October that it was unable to set a safety contamination level for melamine in infant formula.

Dr. Stephen Sundlof, FDA's director of food safety, said Friday the agency was confident in setting the 1 part per million level for either of the chemicals alone. although there has been no new scientific studies since October that would give regulators more safety data. He had no ready explanation for why the level wasn't set earlier.

The standard is the same as the one public health officials have set in Canada and China where in September the problem of melamine in infant formula first surfaced. But it is 20 times higher than the most stringent level in Taiwan.

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=6357398

 

[LancelotSA]

That example provided by you says nothing about "suspected" FN! It says contaminated!

I think you are twisting things to suit your argument!

 

[LancelotSA]

Sure, since you asked so nicely.

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=6357398

Ha ha ha nice one! That's the "first world" response for you!

 

[FnuckNut]

FnuckNut, have you actually read your newly googled links that you posted?

Both those articles are about China itself!


It might also be of interest to you for me to point out that China is not first world! So back to Google it is for you to find some more links to shock me with!

Read between the lines for actual responses of other countries and what they found. As we are a major importer of Chinese products the concern remains.

If you are not so concerned the ..off go feed your baby. Other people here will see the information and Google for information themselves them to see the true effect of the scandal. Should we wait till more babies die in this country before people are warned or protected. Remember all those babies that died in our hospitals just recently. Now you are reassured to trust the same lot for the safety of your baby?

For instance about the expensive testing procedure and why companies use a lesser but cheaper test to confirm compliances.

DO NOT TRUST ANYONE BUT YOURSELF AND YOUR MD FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR LOVED ONES. DO RESEARCH THE PRODUCTS YOU FORCE DOWN THE KIDS MOUTH AS HE? SHE CANNOT DO IT.