Latest test results for melamine (with table)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (October 22) released the latest batch of results of melamine tests.

Results available showed that 74 of the 75 samples tested were satisfactory. These included milk and milk beverages, biscuits, cakes and Chinese buns.

The unsatisfactory sample was "Mai-lai" cake (馬拉糕). The level of melamine detected was 3.2ppm.

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

"The 'Mai-lai' cake sample was taken from a restaurant. The CFS has sent a warning letter to the food premises concerned and asked it to stop selling the product. In its follow-up action, the CFS understood that the product in question was made by the food premises concerned. Raw materials for making the product were taken for tests. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions will be taken out."a spokesman for the CFS said.

According to the standards of the US Food and Drug Administration, the safety reference value (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 "Mai-lai" cake which was detected with a melamine level of 3.2ppm, the spokesman said a child weighing 10kg (about 3 years old) would have to eat about 1kg (assume around 126g per piece, about eight pieces) of the product a day to reach the TDI. An adult with average body weight of 60kg would need to consume about 11.8kg (assume around 126g per piece, about 94 pieces) of the product a day before reaching the TDI.

"We will continue to collect samples of dairy products and products with dairy ingredients for testing."

"Test results for some milk and milk beverages, cakes, biscuits, cheeses, chocolates and cream will be available tomorrow."

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/Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Unsatisfactory results of testing of Melamine

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 1-51)

Satisfactory results of testing of Melamine (Samples 52-66)