NZ to Set Standards for Melamine in Food

An international standard for an endurable level of melamine adulteration in food is being planned by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

The authority said it has selected three thresholds under the proposal, a one part per million (1ppm) restriction on melamine in infant formula, a 2.5ppm limit on melamine in foods on shop shelves, and a 5ppm constraint on foods that may be used as ingredients.

“Foods containing up to 5ppm of melamine do not pose a risk to human health,” the authority said.

In 2008, contamination of the bio-active milk protein lactoferrin was found in China that made thousands of children ill.

The country has found melamine levels up to 2563ppm in the Beibei infant formula produced by Fonterra’s Sanlu joint venture in China, with lower amounts in milk powder from 21 other Chinese companies.