Latest test results of dairy product samples (with table)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (October 1) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests on dairy products.

Results available today showed that of the 78 samples tested, 77 were satisfactory. These included nutrition supplement for hospital use; imported milk beverages, baby food, ice-cream, cream, cakes, biscuits, cookies and raw milk; and locally-produced buns.

The sample found unsatisfactory is Lotte Cream Cheese Cake (Net weight: 27.5g x 6 pieces, Best Before Date: 17.7.2009). The level of melamine detected is 3.4ppm.

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

"We have informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the product with unsatisfactory result. We have also sent warning letters to the importer and retailer concerned, and the importer would recall the affected product. 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 cream cheese cake which was detected with a melamine level of 3.4ppm, the spokesman said a child weighing 10kg (about 3-year-old) would have to eat about 0.94kg (about 34 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 11.12kg (about 404 pieces) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.

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

"So far, we have tested about 230 locally produced and overseas imported frozen confection samples and they are all satisfactory. We have also begun to test nutrition supplements for hospital use and so far all the 10 samples tested are satisfactory. We will continue to collect samples of dairy products and products with dairy ingredients for testing.

"Test results for some buns, chocolates, soya drinks, yogurt drinks, milk and milk beverages, ice-cream, instant drink mixes will be available tomorrow."

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/Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine