Latest test results of dairy product samples (with tables)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (September 27) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests on dairy products and baby food.
Results available today showed that of the 145 samples tested, including cakes, bread, milk and milk beverages produced locally; Mainland frozen confections, raw milk, milk and milk beverages; coffee creamer produced on the Mainland and overseas; and milk powder and baby food from overseas, 141 were satisfactory.
Three samples of biscuit were found unsatisfactory. Details are as follows:
1. Lotte Koala Strawberry Biscuit (Family Pack) (10 small packs) (net weight: 200g, expiry date: 26.9.2009); level of melamine detected – 4.3ppm.
2. Lotte Koala's March Chocolate Biscuit (Family Pack) (10 small packs)(net weight: 200g, expiry date: 29.1.2010); level of melamine detected – 57ppm.
3. Lotte Koala Biscuit (Family Pack)(Chocolate Filled)(Double Chocolate Flavor)(10 small packs)(net weight: 200g, expiry date: 29.1.2010); level of melamine detected - 68ppm.
In addition, a sample of milk biscuit "利誠干吃奶片" (net weight: 168g) was found unsatisfactory with a melamine level of 3ppm detected. The sample was collected by the CFS following up with public's food complaint.
Under the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2008 which took effect on September 23, the legal limit for melamine in the above biscuits and milk biscuit "利誠干吃奶片" is 2.5ppm.
"We have already informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the products concerned. We have also sent warning letters to the retailers and importers concerned, and the importers will recall the affected products," a spokesman for the CFS said.
"The CFS will take out prosecution if there is sufficient evidence."
According to the standards of the 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.
On the sample of Lotte biscuits which was detected with a melamine level of 68ppm, the spokesman said a child weighing 10kg (about 3-year-old) would have to eat about 0.05kg (about 2.5 small packs) of the product a day to reach the TDI. For an adult with average body weight of 60 kg, he will need to consume about0.56kg (about 28 small packs) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.
On the milk biscuit "利誠干吃奶片" sample, a child weighing 10kg (about 3–year-old) would have to eat about 1.1kg (about 6.5 packets) of the product a day to reach the TDI. It would for the same adult to eat about 12.6kg (about 75 packets) of the product a day to reach the TDI.
"Based on the levels detected, the public is advised to stop consuming the products concerned," the spokesman said.
"Up till now, a total of 66 infant formula have been tested and all were satisfactory. In addition, of the 45 baby food samples tested, 44 were satisfactory and the unsatisfactory sample was announced yesterday.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to collect baby food, other dairy products and products with dairy ingredients 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's enquiry number 2381 6096 which operates from 9am to 9pm daily.
Ends/Saturday, September 27, 2008
Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine
Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine