Latest test results for melamine

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (October 28) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests.

Results available today showed that 54 of the 55 samples tested were satisfactory. These included milk, eggs, flour and infant formula.

The level of melamine detected in the unsatisfactory egg sample was 2.9ppm.

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

"The medium-sized egg sample was taken from a restaurant. The CFS has sent warning letters to the food premises and distributor concerned and asked them to stop using and selling the product with unsatisfactory results. We understand that the product in question is from Hubei Province and the processing plant is ‘湖北京山鵬昌農產品有限公司' (production date:10.10.2008, production batch number: 4200/D0701808223).

"We have informed the food trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the concerned product."

According to 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 three years, who 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 a long period has not exceeded the TDI.

On the sample of medium sized egg which was detected with a melamine level of 2.9ppm, the spokesman said a child weighing 10kg (about three years old) would have to eat about 1.1kg (about 24 eggs, assuming the edible portion of a medium-sized egg weighs around 46g) of the product a day to reach the TDI. An adult with average body weight of 60kg would need to consume about 13 kg (about 283 eggs, assuming the edible portion of a medium-sized egg weighs around 46g) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.

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

"We will continue to collect samples of dairy products, products with dairy ingredients and eggs for testing. Test results for some milk, milk powder, eggs, baby food and flour will be available tomorrow," a spokesman for the CFS said.

Information on the test results can be found on the CFS's website, www.cfs.gov.hk. People can also call the CFS's enquiry number 2381 6096 which operates from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Ends/Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 1-28)

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 29-52)