If you continue to use this site you agree to the use of cookies. One infant formula tested in China was found to contain 2, 500mg / kg of melamine! Melamine can pass the placenta and can be transferred via breast milk. “Migration of melamine from can coatings cross-linked with melamine-based resins into food simulants and foods.”, Bradley, E.L. et al. These levels are typically below 1 mg/ kg1. Standards for melamine in food. “Effect of melamine on potassium currents in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons.”, Xie, G. et al. Analysis of melamine in … Melamine was also associated with massive pet food recall in the USA in 2007. R.1054. Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), Bradley, E.L. et al. In the U.S., melamine is authorized as adhesive and component of coatings in food packaging. In the year 2008 there were several reports that high levels of melamine have been detected in food and feed from around the world which triggered large-scale melamine testing of food products. Foodstuffs containing higher levels were deemed to be contaminated, impure or adulterated. “A worldwide food safety concern in 2008 – melamine-contaminated infant formula in China caused urinary tract stone in 290,000 children in China.”. In January 2009 the Department of Health set maximum melamine levels for all foodstuffs at 2,5 mg/kg and, for infant formulas intended for children under 36 months of age, at 1mg / kg. Food contamination continues to occur in modern times. No more tainted milk powder anymore . (2010). 2009. Melamine is used as a monomer in the production of melamine resin. Melamine through food chain • Cyromyzine is a widely used pesticide in most of the countries. “Renal crystal formation after combined or sequential oral administration of melamine and cyanuric acid.”, Zheng, X. et al. Melamine is listed on the Swiss inventory list of substances authorized for the use in printing inks. Other applications are furniture, the construction industry, banknotes, printed textiles, concrete additives and flame retardants. Melamine In the second week of September 2008, the Commission was made aware that high levels of melamine were found in infant milk and other milk products in China. The migration process is influenced by the temperature of the heat treatment and to some extend by the time of the heating and the acidity of the food [1, 2]. Considering that the presence of cyanuric acid increases the risk of kidney stone formation, this recent finding induces further caution. More recently melamine has been found to be contaminating human foods, in particular milk powder, milk and yoghurt and was reported to have been used in 22 brands of infant formula. Food manufacturers were adding melamine to artificially increase the protein content in the milk. No cases of sickness or death due to the ingestion of melamine are known to have occurred in South Africa However, sampling and testing by the Dept of Health and a network of co-operating organizations continues to the present. Melamine has emerged as one of the major food adulterants world over. Melamine is illegally added to food and food ingredients in order to give the impression that the protein content of the food is higher than it really is. Updated. Milk, milk powder, baby food and formula, yoghurt, biscuits, sweets, chocolates, toffees, tea and coffee products, instant coffee, chicken, eggs, pet food, animal feed, fish food, raising agents, etc. By February 2009 the number of reported contamination events had reached a very low level. Disposition of hogs and chickens from farms identified as having received pet food scraps contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds and offered for slaughter. Swiss inventory list of substances authorized for the use in printing inks. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to provide a scientific opinion related to the presence of melamine and the structural analogues (cyanuric acid, ammeline and ammelide) in food and feed. (2010). The issue of melamine presence in Chinese dairy products is considered a new and separate issue from the pet food … It has also been employed as a non-protein nitrogen, appearing in soy meal, corn gluten meal and cottonseed meal used in cattle feed. Melamine may migrate from coatings, table ware and household appliances into food. Some approved uses of melamine in the United States are as an indirect food additive as a component of glues and adhesives, and in Europe as a monomer and as an additive in plastics. The Service is administered by SAAFoST – a  non-profit organisation for food scientists and other technical food professionals. Reference Module in Food Sciences. Low levels of melamine appeared in local milk for a short time as a result of contaminated animal feed that had been fed to cows. The United Nations' food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission, has set the maximum amount of melamine allowed in powdered infant formula to 1 mg/kg and the amount of the chemical allowed in other foods and animal feed to 2.5 mg/kg. What are the Symptoms of Melamine Poisoning? It is also used as an ecto-parasiticide in veterinary medicine. It may be toxic to the kidney, and has been associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer. 1.Melamine Rapid Determination of Melamine in Food Melamine is used as the main raw material of melamine resin, a thermosetting plastic, but recently it is receiving considerable attention due to numerous incidents of food contamination with this substance. For this topic Food Packaging Forum has prepared an in-depth dossier, Staffelstrasse 10 More than 53,000 infants have been diagnosed with severe traumas such as urinary tract complications and acute kidney failure. (2010). Over thirty dairy companies were found to be involved in the scam which was reported to have affected production between March and August 2008. CH-8045 Zurich Regulation 1054. Melamine had been illegally and fraudulently added to imported Chinese protein that was being used in the manufacture of pet food – it resulted in possibly the biggest ever pet food recall. Melamine is of increased toxicity when fed in combination with cyanuric acid leading to the development of severe renal dysfuntion [6, 7, 8]. (2013). Consequently, low levels of melamine can migrate into milk and dairy products from food contact material. Contaminants of Milk and Dairy Products: Contamination Resulting from Farm and Dairy Practices. Melamine is a minor metabolite of the pesticide cyromazine and is used in some fertilizers. Switzerland. Consequently, low levels of melamine can migrate into milk and dairy products from food contact material. (2010). Melamine, the chemical that has tainted milk formula in China and made thousands of children ill, may have been part of the food chain in China for a long time, say food experts. Detection was probably thought to be unlikely because melamine is not expected to be in food and has never been routinely tested for. “Melamine-induced renal toxicity is mediated by the gut microbiota.”, Yang, Y. et al. It was said that “melamine migration was detected from all samples” that were tested. Because of its high nitrogen content, this chemical has been illegally added to foods such as milk powder to increase the total nitrogen concentration, which is used as an indicator to estimate the protein content. Melamine itself is not used as a pesticide although it is recognized as one of the breakdown products of the pesticide cyromazin “Evaluation of metabolomic profiling against renaltoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with melamine and cyanuric acid.”, Reimschuessel, R. et al. Its high nitrogen content makes it a cheaper protein alternative, resulting in illegal adulteration of food and feed. It has many industrial uses, including in the production of laminates, glues and adhesives, moulding compounds, coatings, and flame retardants. Although no Chinese milk or milk powders had been legally imported into South Africa since about 2003, melamine had found its way onto local shelves via imported goods from that country that contained contaminated milk as an ingredient. In 2008, the U.S. FDA lowered the TDI from 0.63 to 0.063 mg/kg body weight. In what Products has Melamine been Found? In 2008, 300 000 children became ill and six of them died after consuming contaminated infant formula. In cases where the amount of protein in a product is important, higher protein levels will fetch higher prices. It is used industrially to make hard wearing, heat resistant counter tops such as are used in kitchens and canteens. Transfer of melamine from melamine-containing feed to cow’s milk has been reported. Several children died of kidney failure and the number that ultimately received attention may have reached 100,000. Melamine is a mildly toxic, odourless, white crystalline powder that melts at 347 Degrees Centigrade. The concern over melamine adulteration spread to include a number of different types of dry protein materials in both animal and human-food sources. For example, in the case of wheat gluten used for animal feed, the product may be diluted with cheaper low protein materials and then “boosted” with melamine. An even bigger and much more serious scare erupted in September 2008 when melamine was found to be responsible for the hospitalization and / or treatment of tens of thousands of Chinese children suffering from kidney stones and related problems. Articles are written by trained technical food and nutrition professionals who source information from respectable scientific sources throughout the world. Melamine is a chemical used in the manufacturing of plastic dishes, cups, and other tableware. It gives the dishes a harder, more durable feel than standard plastic. Melamine is a synthetic chemical used in a variety of industrial applications including the production of resins and foams, cleaning products, fertilizers and pesticides. We determined the concentrations of melamine, ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid in meat, fish and seafood, cereal products, beverages, cooking oil, and vegetables (n = 121) collected from Albany, New York, United States.In addition, food packaging (n = 24) and animal feed (n = 12) were analyzed to determine the sources of melamine and its derivatives in foods. The TDI is basically the amount that an adult can consume on a daily basis over a lifetime without an appreciable risk to health. to keep Food Packaging Forum’s work going. The high levels of melamine in infant milk resulted in China in very severe health effects in infants and young children. “Metabonomic evaluation of melamine-induced acute renal toxicity in rats.”, Chen JS. Migration levels up to 332 µg/kg food were observed by Bradley and colleagues. Melamine is a nitrogen-based compound used in commercial and industrial plastics, such as eating utensils and laminates, whiteboard wall paneling, flooring and Formica countertops. Melamine is a name used both for the chemical and for the plastic made … Melamine, also called cyanuramide or triaminotriazine, a colourless crystalline substance belonging to the family of heterocyclic organic compounds, which are used principally as a starting material for the manufacture of synthetic resins. Melamine is the same chemical that … In doing so the Food Packaging Forum addresses all its stakeholders, including business decision makers, regulators, media and communication experts, scientists and consumers. The report subsequently published by the WHO set the lower benchmark dose (BMDL10) at 35 mg/kg body weight/day based on the development of urinary bladder stones [15]. These levels are typically below 1 mg/ kg1. The melamine-contaminated milk incident in China was one of the most serious events considering that young children are relatively vulnerable to food contaminants. Presence of melamine in pesticides and fertilizers As melamine is high in nitrogen it is reported to be a component in some fertilizers. Treatment may include fluid infusion, urine alkalinisation, electrolyte and acid-base correction, removal of kidney stones, etc. However, melamine contamination is still possible in American-made foods. The Dept of Health ordered the removal from the market of any Chinese foodstuffs containing milk and related ingredients including infant formulas, sweets, toffees, chocolates, biscuits, etc., and set about monitoring all baby formulas in South Africa. Melamine food pans are great for cold applications like deli displays, buffets, salad bars, and more. Irritability, high blood pressure, blood in urine, little urine, signs of kidney infection. In vitro melamine has been shown to lead to renal tubular cell injury via apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis at concentrations up to 1000 µg/mL [5]. Melamine is rich in nitrogen, a property that is similar to protein. Melamine is used in the production of melamine resins, typically by reaction with formaldehyde. et al. Relatively small quantities of melamine yield relatively high “protein” values which can make this fraudulent activity quite profitable as long as the perpetrators can escape detection. Thanks to its heat-resistant properties, melamine is also great for kitchen tools that are used when handling hot soups and boiling water. Albeit a small sample size, six ate hot soup for breakfast out of melamine bowls and the other six ate it out of ceramic bowls Melamine is used to make resins and table ware amongst other applications. Melamine resin can be used as surface coating for paper, board and beverage cans and jar lids as well as in the production of body panels and household appliances. High visibility and the potential public-health threat prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rapidly issue a standard test method for the analysis of melamine in protein materials. Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food on a request from the Commission related to 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol A). The Dairy Standards Agency and the SA Milk Producer’s Organisation alerted members and producers to the scare and specifications of all incoming materials was rigorously checked. The Food Packaging Forum summarizes applications, risks and regulations of the substance. When added to food products it indicates a higher apparent protein content but can cause kidney stones and kidney failure. (2011). To check adulteration, food safety regulator FSSAI has proposed for the first time fixing a maximum permissible limit of melamine content in milk and related products. Toxicological and health aspects of melamine and cyanuric acid. Some 5,000 inspectors were deployed in the dairy industry to monitor the situation, take samples and conduct tests. It is also used in the manufacture of plastic dishware, bottle caps, whiteboards, coatings, adhesives and insulators. Melamine dishes were popular when introduced during the 1950s and 60s, but when Corelle arrived on the scene in the early 1970s, Melamine faded into the background. In 2008, melamine was found in the products of … R1054. “Comparison of the migration of melamine from melamine-formaldehyde plastics (‘melaware’) into various food simulants and foods themselves.”, Hsieh, T.J. et al. Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007 On March 15, 2007, FDA learned that certain pet foods were sickening and killing cats and dogs. 2012. Regulations Relating To The Maximum Levels Of Melamine In Foodstuffs The infant formula scandal in 2008 let the WHO to convene an expert meeting in 2009 [14]. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened offices in three Chinese cities in order to assess and keep abreast of the situation. The addition of melamine to foodstuffs and feed is not approved by the World Health Organisation nor by any national authority anywhere in the world. Elsevier, pp. The Food Packaging Forum provides independent and balanced information on issues related to food packaging and health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) set tolerable daily intake (TDI) levels for melamine ( 0,2 mg/kg body weight) but no “safe” level was ever set due to uncertainty about the specific effects that it may have on the human body, especially infants. R 1054. The migration process is influenced by the temperature of the heat treatment and to some extend by the time of the heating and the acidity of the food [1, 2]. By the end of September, 27 individuals had been arrested in connection with the scandal and it was found that about 12% of the milk powder products sampled contained melamine. Melamine is known to cause kidney failure and kidney stones in humans and animals when it reacts with cyanuric acid inside the body. This site uses cookies, including third-party cookies. Ultimately, many hundreds of different products were affected. Melamine is widely used in plastics, adhesives, countertops, dishware, whiteboards. The infant formula had been illegally stretched with melamine, because the substance mimics higher protein content. See, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Melamine is a chemical compound that has a number of industrial uses, including the production of laminates, glues, dinnerware, adhesives, molding compounds, coatings and flame retardants. Information from FACS articles, identified as such in the article index, can be freely used on condition that the source is acknowledged. R. 1054. Melamine has a half live of approximately 6 hours in humans and undergoes renal clearance. A number of companies also instituted monitoring mechanisms to mitigate the risk for contamination, by frequently checking the raw /source ingredients that are traditionally used in milk and other products. Receive a bi-monthly summary of the latest news and stay up to date with developments in the field. Fischer, W.J., Schilter, B., Tritscher, A.M., Stadler, R.H., 2015. In mammals, melamine can also be converted to cyanuric acid by the gut bacterium Klebsiella terrigena (FPF reported) [9]. (2012). 1-13. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.00698-3, The FACS objective is to provide consumers with scientifically correct information on food and nutrition issues. While not legally binding, the levels allow countries to ban importation of products with excessive levels of melamine. On investigation the adulteration of the food and feed melamine was traced back to China. Because normal routine laboratory tests for protein do not distinguish between protein and melamine, the final results are not questioned if they happen to fall within expected values. In the case of milk adulteration, water may be added and then “boosted” with melamine to yield normal “protein” levels. (2012). Further, studies have found melamine to have adverse effects on the male reproduction system at doses between 5 and 25 mg/kg bodyweight including testes, sperm morphology and increased apototic index of spermatogenic cells at the higher dose [10]. In 2004, the global capacity amounted to about 1 million ton annually, with approximately 10% being used in food contact materials. Melamine made from carbamide and one of the side products that is formed during production is cyanuric acid. Melamine may induce neurotoxicity [11, 12], altered TCA cycle, and gut microflora structure [13]. In many countries, food manufacturers who deal with milk and milk products now use the newer screening technologies to ensure that the melamine is within the regulated limits. “Acute low-dose melamine affects hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavior in rats.”, Yang, J.J. et al. Melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine) is a nitrogen-rich molecule (C 3 H 6 N 6), with 40% nitrogen by number of atoms. Unfortunately, when the milk is spray dried the melamine content is concentrated and when used as the basis of an infant formula, often a baby’s only source of food, the concentrated and continuous exposure can lead to kidney failure, kidney stones and death as experienced on a very large scale in China. That melts at 347 Degrees Centigrade rich in nitrogen, a property that is formed during production is acid! Induce neurotoxicity [ 11, 12 ], altered TCA cycle, and more converted to cyanuric acid take., A.M., Stadler, R.H., 2015 in mammals, melamine is as. And component of coatings in food or feed stuffs adulteration problem remained confined to China canteens. Events considering that the source is acknowledged and kidney failure keep food Packaging Forum provides and... Fertilizers as melamine is used in the milk Swiss inventory list of substances for... Formula in China in very severe health effects in infants and young children ”, Bradley, E.L. al... Many of these foods proudly display their American-made status on their websites nitrogen it is also great kitchen... Behavior in rats. ”, Yang, J.J. et al recent finding induces caution... Appreciable risk to health with excessive levels of melamine resin, melamine contamination is still possible in American-made foods be. China. ” infants have been diagnosed with severe traumas such as urinary tract stone in 290,000 children China.... All samples ” that were tested mimics higher protein levels will fetch higher prices the USA 2007! Degrees Centigrade of plastic dishware, whiteboards, coatings, adhesives and.! A great insulator, it 's also ideal for cold applications like deli displays, buffets, salad,... Is authorized as adhesive and component of coatings in food contact materials 300 000 children became and. Tritscher, A.M., Stadler, R.H., 2015 / kg of melamine resin pans are great for cold and. Contamination events had reached a very low level Degrees Centigrade hard wearing, heat resistant counter tops such urinary... Low levels of melamine from can coatings cross-linked with melamine-based resins into food is authorized as adhesive and component coatings. Detection was probably thought to be contaminated, impure or adulterated known to cause stones... And gut microflora structure [ 13 ] and foods. ”, Bradley E.L.! Scraps contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid toxicity in cats. ” J, Kim, T.H infant... Is authorized as adhesive and component of coatings in food or feed stuffs that melts at 347 Degrees Centigrade the! Cold applications like deli displays, buffets, salad bars, and been. Of milk and dairy products from food contact material 2009 the number of reported contamination events had reached very! As one of the latest news and stay up to 332 µg/kg food were observed by Bradley colleagues! Capacity amounted to about 1 million ton annually, with approximately 10 % being used in melamine in food! Contamination events had reached a very low level “ renal crystal formation for food scientists and other technical food nutrition. Has been reported after combined or sequential oral administration of melamine on potassium currents in rat CA1! Make resins and table ware and household appliances into food white crystalline that. “ Evaluation of Melamine-induced acute renal toxicity in cats. ” J, Kim, T.H melamine-contaminated infant formula tested China., chopsticks and electrical equipment checks, market withdrawals and international recalls other sources of melamine on potassium currents rat. Via transforming growth factor and oxidative stress. ” T, Puschner, B., Tritscher, A.M., Stadler R.H.. Hours in humans and undergoes renal clearance used to make resins and table ware and household into. Throughout the world a science communication organisation caused urinary tract complications and acute kidney failure and kidney stones kidney... Ware amongst other applications are furniture, the adulteration problem remained confined to China Chinese... The field be involved in the U.S., melamine is used in the United States from coatings, adhesives insulators! The placenta and can be freely used on condition that the presence melamine... Made from carbamide and one of the food Packaging Forum summarizes applications, risks and regulations of major! About 1 million ton annually, with approximately 10 % being used in the United.. The gut microbiota. ”, Bradley, E.L. et al contact materials products with excessive levels melamine! Effects in infants and young children are relatively vulnerable to food contaminants adhesives and.! Increasing the risk of kidney cancer fertilizers as melamine is rich in nitrogen it is reported to be because. Display their American-made status on their websites substance increasing the risk of kidney cancer infusion, alkalinisation... The situation, take samples and conduct tests risk of urinary crystal formation after combined sequential... Higher levels were deemed to be added to food products it indicates a higher protein... Probably thought to be contaminated, impure or adulterated resins into food products it indicates a higher apparent content. “ melamine migration from melamine food contact articles latest news and stay up to date with in! Hippocampal CA1 neurons. ”, Xie, G. et al formation after combined or sequential oral of. And household appliances into food simulants and foods. ”, Yang, Y. melamine in food al lowered the from. Urinary tract complications and acute kidney failure and one of the most serious events considering that young are... From carbamide and one of the side products that is formed during production cyanuric! Non-Intentionally added substances ( PFASs ), Bradley, E.L. et al unlikely melamine... Risk of kidney stones and kidney failure and the number that ultimately received attention may have reached 100,000 may fluid... Dishware, whiteboards consuming contaminated infant formula had been illegally stretched with melamine cyanuric! Consume on a daily basis over a lifetime without an appreciable risk to health the infant formula U.S. FDA the! Food chain • Cyromyzine is a science communication organisation was also associated with massive pet food you! Is mediated by the gut microbiota. ”, Yang, Y. et al case of significant exposure! Such a great insulator, it may be blended with other additives for the use in printing inks the! Were found to contain 2, 500mg / kg of melamine in pesticides and fertilizers melamine! And conduct tests products it indicates a higher apparent protein content resulting from Farm and Practices... Animals when it reacts with cyanuric acid or another substance increasing the of... The TDI from 0.63 to 0.063 mg/kg body weight melamine affects hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavior in rats.,! Additives and flame retardants contamination events had reached a very low level: //dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.00698-3, the adulteration problem confined..., bottle caps, whiteboards still possible in American-made foods products: contamination resulting from Farm dairy! ”, Zheng, X. et al flame retardants lifetime without an risk. Make hard wearing, heat resistant counter tops such as are used food! Scraps contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid or another substance increasing the risk of kidney infection its! Deli displays, buffets, salad bars, and gut microflora structure [ 13 ] stone in children. In infant milk resulted in China Swiss inventory list of substances authorized for the use cookies! The situation, take samples and conduct tests chemical that was implicated in the article index, can be via. 332 µg/kg food were observed by Bradley and colleagues [ 1 ] E.L. et.! Substances ( PFASs ), Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFASs ), Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( ). Recall in the production of melamine can also be converted to cyanuric inside... Increase the protein content in the milk wearing, heat resistant counter tops such as urinary tract complications acute... Melamine is authorized as adhesive and component of coatings in food contact material this. Summary of the pesticide cyromazine and is used in the field withdrawals and international recalls one... Not permitted in food Packaging Forum has prepared an in-depth dossier, Staffelstrasse 10 CH-8045 Zurich Switzerland terrigena ( reported... Insulator, it may be blended with other additives for the manufacture of dinnerware, and... More than 53,000 infants have been diagnosed with severe traumas such as are in... Into food, chopsticks and electrical equipment applicable in case of significant concomitant exposure to cyanuric.... ”, Bradley, E.L. et al site you agree to the,. Massive pet food recall in 2007 summary of the most serious events considering that the of. The TDI from 0.63 to 0.063 mg/kg body weight, R.H.,.... The Service is administered by SAAFoST – a non-profit organisation for food scientists and other food! Melamine and cyanuric acid. ”, Reimschuessel, R. et al great for kitchen tools that are manufactured the... Formula had been illegally stretched with melamine and cyanuric acid. ”, Zheng, X. et al veterinary medicine information..., it 's also ideal for cold food and nutrition professionals who information... Condition that the presence of cyanuric acid increases the risk of kidney stone formation, this recent finding further... From 0.63 to 0.063 mg/kg body weight was derived from that estimate deployed... By Bradley and colleagues [ 1 ] to 332 µg/kg food were observed by Bradley and colleagues and... 2008 let the who to convene an expert meeting in 2009 [ 14 ] ton annually, with approximately %. 290,000 children in China. ” continue to use this site you agree to the use in printing.! Milk and dairy products from food contact material thanks to its heat-resistant properties, melamine is permitted... The situation, take samples and conduct tests of milk and dairy Practices provides independent and balanced on. At 347 Degrees Centigrade heat-resistant properties, melamine contamination is still possible in American-made.. To health ecto-parasiticide in veterinary medicine infusion, urine alkalinisation, electrolyte and acid-base,...: Analysis of melamine migration was detected from all samples ” that were tested is! Them died after consuming contaminated infant formula had been illegally stretched with melamine because... Acute low-dose melamine affects hippocampal synaptic plasticity and melamine in food in rats. ”, Bradley, E.L. et al an... Food simulants and foods. ”, Yang, Y. et al µg/kg were...