Latest test results on melamine

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (October 9) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests.

Results available today showed that 78 of the 79 samples tested were satisfactory. These included milk, frozen confections, biscuits, infant milk products for hospital use, instant drink mixes as well as condiments and sauces.

The sample found unsatisfactory is EDO Pack Almond Cacao Biscuit Sticks (Net weight: 36g (1.269 ounces), Best Before Date: 17.5.2009). The level of melamine detected was 8.5ppm.

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

"We have informed the food trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the product with unsatisfactory result. We have also sent warning letters to retailers and the sole Hong Kong agent concerned, and the sole agent will recall the affected product. The CFS will 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 3 years, 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 8.5ppm, the spokesman said a child weighing 10kg (about 3-year-old) would have to eat about 376.5g (about 10 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 4.45kg (about 124 packs) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.

"Based on the level detected, people are advised to stop consuming the product concerned," the spokesman said.

"So far, we have tested more than 50 instant drink mix samples and all are satisfactory. We will continue to collect samples of dairy products and products with dairy ingredients for testing.

"Test results for milk and milk products, frozen confections, cream, biscuits and nutrition supplements for hospital use will be available tomorrow."

Information on the test results can be found on CFS's website www.cfs.gov.hk. For enquiries, people can also call CFS's enquiry number 2381 6096 which operates from 9am to 6pm daily.

Ends/Thursday, October 9, 2008

Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 1-39)

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 40-68)