Food Safety Focus (37th Issue, August 2009) – Food Incident Highlight

Melamine in Food

Following the emergence of adulterated use of melamine in milk and milk products in the Mainland in September last year, the Government immediately amended the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132 AF) to establish legal limits for melamine in food at 1 mg/kg for milk and food for children under the age of 36 months, pregnant and lactating women, and at 2.5 mg/kg for other food.

Since the onset of the incident, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has conducted analyses for melamine in over 5 600 food products and found that 40 samples exceeded the legal limits. Among the satisfactory products, 32 samples were found to contain melamine within the legal limits at levels between 1 to 2.5 mg/kg. The results are listed in a separate table on the CFS website. Consumption of these foods at the low levels of melamine detected would not pose health concerns. There have been no positive results since December 2008.