Latest test results of dairy product samples (with tables)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (September 23) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests on dairy products.
Results available today showed that of the 71 samples, including milk, milk beverages, frozen confections, milk powder, raw milk, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, creamy candies and three-in-one coffee powder, 69 were satisfactory.
A sample of creamy candy and a sample of cake were found unsatisfactory.
Details are as follows:
| Product | Level of Melamine Detected |
|---|---|
| 1. White Rabbit Creamy Candies (net weight: 227g) | 4.6ppm |
| 2. Four Seas Cake (Strawberry Flavour) (net weight: 160g) | 6.1ppm |
Under the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2008 which takes effect today, the legal limit for melamine in the above two food items is 2.5ppm.
"We have informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the products concerned. No prosecution under the Regulation will be taken as the samples were collected before the commencement of the amendment regulation. However, we have sent warning letters to the retailers and importers concerned. The importers will recall the affected products," a CFS spokesman said.
According to the standards of US Food and Drug Administration, the safety reference value (i.e. tolerable daily intake - TDI) for melamine is 0.63mg per kg of body weight per day. For children under the age of 36 months, as they are more sensitive to melamine, the TDI for melamine is 0.32mg per kg of body weight per day.
"Based on the low level detected, normal consumption will not pose major health effects. However, the public should stop consuming those food items."
On the creamy candy sample which was detected with a level of 4.6ppm melamine, the spokesman said it would be for a three-year-old child weighing 10 kg to eat about three packs (about 130 pieces) of the product a day to have exposure reaching the TDI. On the cake sample which was detected with a level of 6.1ppm melamine, it would be for the same child to eat about 16 pieces of the product to have exposure reaching the TDI.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to collect dairy product samples for testing," the spokesman said.
Information on the test results can be found on CFS's website www.cfs.gov.hk. For enquiries, members of the public can also call CFS' enquiry number 2381 6096 which operates from 9 am to 9 pm daily. The enquiry service will be suspended when Typhoon Signal No.8 or above/Black Rainstorm warning is in effect, and will resume two hours after the signal/warning is cancelled.
Ends/Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine
Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine