CFIA orders product testing on melamine

Apart from Chinese soybean meal, CFIA’s new directive covers imports from
China of whole, skim or partly skimmed milk powder; whey powder, modified whey
products and casein products; dairy protein concentrates; and recycled dairy
food products such as liquid milk, yogurt or infant formula.

Importers,
CFIA said, will now have to provide test results indicating that ingredients
coming from China — either directly, or indirectly through other countries —
don’t contain detectable levels of melamine and cyanuric acid. Results of
analysis must be provided at the time of importation, CFIA said. If an importer
can’t show that the product meets the new requirements, the product will be
“detained and referred to the CFIA for assessment.”

FIA’s new feed
directive follows a similar analysis and documentation regime imposed earlier
this month on imports of foods containing milk or milk products from China,
particularly foods and formula for infants. Health Canada has set new interim
standards for maximum levels of melamine and cyanuric acid in foods.

Health Canada’s interim standards make very small allowances for
melamine that finds its way into food through “environmental exposure” such as
in packaging or processing, rather than through deliberate spiking.