Melamine triggers China import holds



Back in September, White Rabbit Candy and Chinese Milk were pulled in the US. As part of its ongoing strategy to address the present problem with melamine contamination of consumer products exported from the People’s Republic of China, FDA has expanded its import controls on Chinese dairy products, and food and feed products manufactured in China that contain dairy ingredients. Since Oct. 10, 2008, FDA has had an import alert in place for specific products found contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds. FDA has collected additional information on the scope of the melamine contamination problem in China, and determined a countrywide import alert is warranted. You will probably see your favorite cookies, crackers, drinks, etc. held up in customs until the product is cleared of melamine . You can find details of the alert here.

No adverse health effects have been reported in the United States from contamination with melamine of dairy products or dairy containing products. But melamine is not approved for direct addition to human or animal foods and no manufacturer is allowed to deliberately add it to any food for U.S. consumers.

As part of ongoing activities, FDA will also examine a range of protein-containing products beyond just dairy and dairy-containing products for contamination with melamine and melamine-related compounds. FDA will continue to take appropriate regulatory action if these efforts uncover additional contamination.

The FDA is advising consumers not to consume the following products because of possible melamine contamination:

* Fresh and Crispy Jacobina Biscuits

* Koala’s March Crème filled Cookies

* YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink

* YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink

* Blue Cat Flavored Drinks

* White Rabbit Candies

* Mr. Brown Mandehling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

* Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

* Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

* Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

* Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

* Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)

* Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

* Infant formula manufactured in China

FDA to Open Offices in China, India

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