FDA updates melamine health advisory

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its Health Information Advisory on melamine to include a recall of some coffees and teas and information on other products which could contain the chemical, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin notified the state’s consumers today.

King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwanese company, has recalled 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)

The FDA recommends that no one consume any of the above Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products. The FDA also recommends that retailers and foodservice operators remove the products from sale or service.

The FDA is working with regulatory agencies in other countries. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority reports that its testing of White Rabbit Creamy Candies has shown melamine contamination at high levels. In light of the widespread contamination of milk and milk-based products in China and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s finding, the FDA recommends that consumers not eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy and that retailers and foodservice operations remove the product from sale or service.

Commissioner Irvin said that Georgia’s Department of Agriculture sanitarians are checking Asian markets for any suspected melamine contaminated products and samples are being tested for melamine in the department’s food laboratory.  As of September 25, 2008, the FDA testing of milk based products imported into the United States from China has not found melamine contamination.

The Health Information Advisory FDA issued September 12, 2008, assured the American public that there was no known threat of melamine contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products in the United States.  That advisory also warned members of Chinese communities in the United States that infant formula manufactured in China, possibly available for purchase at Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants.

The FDA is asking that any individuals who have experienced any health problems after consuming either White Rabbit Creamy Candy or any of the identified Mr. Brown coffee and tea products contact their health care professional.

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