Latest test results of dairy product samples

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (September 30) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests on dairy products.

Results available today showed that of the 119 samples tested, 116 were satisfactory. These included imported milk and milk beverages, frozen confections, chocolate bars, biscuits, cookies, cakes, egg rolls and raw milk.

Details of the three unsatisfactory samples are as follows:

1. "東望洋" Walnut Cakes (net weight: 150g, expiry date: 20.7.2009); level of melamine detected – 3.7ppm.

2. "東望洋" Coconut Cakes (net weight: 180g, expiry date: 20.7.2009); level of melamine detected – 19ppm.

3. Glico Pocky Men's Coffee Cream Coated Biscuit Sticks (net weight: 52g, expiry date: 5.6.2009); level of melamine detected – 43ppm.

Under the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2008, the legal limit for melamine in these products is 2.5ppm.

"We have informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the products with unsatisfactory results. We have also sent warning letters to the importers and retailers concerned, and the importers would recall the affected products. The CFS would take out prosecution if there is sufficient evidence," a spokesman for the CFS said.

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. Transient excursion above the TDI of melamine would have no health consequences provided that the average intake over long period has not exceeded the TDI.

On the sample of biscuit sticks which was detected with a melamine level of 43ppm, the spokesman said a child weighing 10kg (about 3-year-old) would have to eat about 0.07kg (about 1.5 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 about 0.9kg (about 17 packs) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.

For the sample of coconut cakes which was detected with a melamine level of 19ppm, a child weighing 10kg (about 3-year-old) would have to eat about 0.2kg (about 11 pieces) of the product a day to reach the TDI. For an adult with average body weight of 60 kg, he will need to consume about 2kg (about 132 pieces) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.

"Based on the levels detected, the public is advised to stop consuming the products concerned," the spokesman said.

"On three brands of chocolate products which were detected by overseas authorities to contain melamine as reported by agencies yesterday and Cadbury Asia Pacific's recall of some of its products from the local market, the CFS has tested some related products. Results available today showed that all the samples were satisfactory. One of these samples, which is Cadbury Chocolate Eclairs (net: 180g), was detected with a melamine level of 1.9ppm. The CFS has asked the company concerned to give the reasons for Cadbury to recall 11 of its Mainland-produced products from the local market as well as all its test results. The Centre has also taken more samples from the importer for testing.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to collect other dairy products and products with dairy ingredients for testing. Test results for some cakes, bread, biscuits, cookies, baby food, and nutrition supplement (for hospital use) will be available."

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/Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 1-80)

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 81-115)