FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination

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On September 12, 2008, in light of reports from China of melamine-contaminated infant formula, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Health Information Advisory to proactively reassure the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met requirements to sell such products in the United States.

That advisory also warned members of Chinese communities in the United States that infant formula manufactured in China, possibly available for purchase at Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants. In a September 23, 2008, update, the FDA reports that it contacted companies who manufacture infant formula for distribution in the United States and received from them information that they are not importing formula or sourcing milk-based materials from China.

At the same time, the agency—in conjunction with state and local officials—began a nationwide investigation to check Asian markets for Chinese-manufactured infant formula that may have been brought into the United States. In particular, this effort focused on areas of the country with large Chinese communities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York. To date, investigators have visited >1000 retail markets and have not yet found Chinese infant formula present in these markets. In addition, the FDA is advising consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in China from Internet sites or from other sources. Working with state and local officials, the agency says it will continue to check Asian markets for food items that are imported from China that could contain a significant amount of milk or milk proteins. In addition, the FDA says it has broadened its domestic and import sampling and testing of milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk, such as candies, desserts, and beverages, that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources. Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk powder, nonfat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein.

“This sampling and testing is done when these ingredients or products are imported into the United States or found during visits to Asian markets,” the agency says. “If the products are adulterated because they contain melamine and/or a melamine analog, the FDA will take action to prevent the products from entering the U.S. food supply.” In addition to state and local governments, the FDA says the agency is working in close cooperation with Customs and Border Protection within the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, and foreign governments.