Codex Sets Limits for Melamine Levels in Food

The Codex Alimentarius Commission decided at its annual meeting to "set the first global limits for melamine contamination in food and infant formula" as reported by the Associated Press.  About 130 countries participated in the annual meeting.

Melamine "is a chemical used in a variety of industrial processes - including the manufacture of plastics used for dishware and kitchenware, and can coatings - and traces of it unavoidably get into food by contact without causing health problems, however the substance is toxic at high levels," according to the World Health Organization.

Melamine can also cause testing to show a higher protein content in dairy products, as the 2008 deliberate contamination of milk products in China "was blamed for sickening nearly 300,000 babies and the deaths of at least six infants," according to the AP.

The Commission set the maximum amount of melamine allowed in powered infant formula at 1mg/kg and the amount allowed in other foods and animal feed at 2.5 mg/kg.

The new limits will not be legally binding, "but countries can refuse to allow the import of products deemed below minimum quality."

To read the Associated Press story, click here.
To read the World Health Organization news release, click here.

Posted: 07/06/2010