Poisoned Milk from China Still Coming to United States

Poisoned milk from China continues to make its way into the United States, according to press releases (1, 2) this past fortnight from the US Food and Drug Administration. Products containing melamine have been found to still be arriving in America, months after the Chinese government allegedly shut down the dairy operators who had been adding the industrial chemical to their products, presumably so it would test a false positive for high protein content.

The FDA has stepped up its testing protocols in response to the apparent lack of responsiveness from the Chinese government, which has apparently not put a complete clampdown on exports of milk products. So far, the FDA has not placed an import ban on Chinese products containing milk or milk byproducts.

Products found in the last 45 days in the United States that came from China containing melamine include: coffee drinks, powdered creamers, and packaged drinks. The FDA has issued an immediate recall on all of these products. The FDA, working in conjunction with state and local officials, is warning people in primarily Asian communities to stay away from any products made in China that contain milk products.

As far as the FDA knows, no baby formula manufactured in China has made it into the United States. No Chinese manufacturers of baby formula have been certified by the FDA for export to the United States. US-based manufacturers of baby formula have assured the FDA that no milk products that originated in China are being used in their manufacturing process.

The FDA, however, is investigating the potential that baby formula is still arriving in the United States, for sale in Asian community markets.

The recalls specifically cite the recall of the following products:

• Mr. Brown Mandheling 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 Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
• Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)
• YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink
• YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink

Melamine is commonly used in industry to make thermoplastics, and because of its high nitrogen content, it can fool standard tests for protein content. Melamine when ingested by humans causes the formation of kidney stones, and in high enough doses, can destroy the kidneys leading to death. Infants are particularly susceptible to melamine poisoning do to their low body mass.