What's with MELAMINE???

Melamine is an organic base and a trimer of cyanamide, with a 1,3,5-triazine skeleton. Like cyanamide, it contains 66% nitrogen by mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardantmetabolite of cyromazine, a pesticide. It is formed in the body of mammals who have ingested cyromazine.It has been reported that cyromazine can also be converted to melamine in plants. properties due to its release of nitrogen gas when burned or charred, and has several other industrial uses. Melamine is also a

Melamine combines with cyanuric acid to form melamine cyanurate, which has been implicated in the Chinese protein export contaminations.

Melamine is combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic, and melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, dry erase boards, fabrics, glues, housewares and flame retardants. Melamine is one of the major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics.

Melamine also enters the fabrication of melamine poly-sulfonate used as superplasticizer for making high-resistance concrete. Sulfonated melamine formaldehyde (SMF) is a polymer used as cement admixture to reduce the water content in concrete while increasing the fluidity and the workability of the mix during its handling and pouring. It results in concrete with a lower porosity and a higher mechanical strength exhibiting an improved resistance to aggressive environments and a longer life-time.

The use of melamine as fertilizer for crops had been envisaged during the '50s and '60s because of its high nitrogen content (2/3)^[. However, the hydrolysis reactions of melamine leading to the nitrogen mineralisation in soils are very slow, precluding a broad use of melamine as fertilizing agent.

Melamine derivatives of arsenical drugs are potentially important in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis^[8]

Melamine use as non-protein nitrogen (NPN) for cattle was described in a 1958 patent. In 1978, however, a study concluded that melamine "may not be an acceptable non-protein N source for ruminants" because its hydrolysis in cattle is slower and less complete than other nitrogen sources such as cottonseed meal and urea.

Melamine is sometimes illegally added to food products in order to increase the apparent protein content. Standard tests such as the Kjeldahl and Dumas tests estimate protein levels by measuring the nitrogen content, so they can be misled by adding nitrogen-rich compounds such as melamine.

In September 2008, several companies were implicated in a scandal involving milk and infant formula which had been adulterated with melamine, leading to kidney stones and other renal failure, especially among young children. By 22 September, nearly 53,000 people had become ill, with more than 12,800 hospitalizations and four infant deaths.

Melamine may have been added to fool government protein content tests after water was added to fraudulently dilute the milk. Because of melamine's high nitrogen content (66% by mass versus approx. 10-12% for typical protein), it can cause the protein content of food to appear higher than the true value. Officials estimate that about 20 percent of the dairy companies tested in China sell products tainted with melamine.

Testing for melamine and cyanuric acid in food

Until the 2007 pet food recalls, melamine had not routinely been monitored in food, except in the context of plastic safety or insecticide residue. This could be due to the previously assumed low toxicity of melamine, and the relatively expensive methods of detection.

Following the 2008 health scare in China over powdered milk, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission set-up a website about methods to detect melamine (http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa.eu/melamine[3]).

In October 2008, the U.S. FDA issued new methods for the analysis of melamine and cyanuric acid in infant formulations in the Laboratory Information Bulletin No 4421 . Similar recommendations have been issued by other authorities, like the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare , both based on LC MS/MS detection after HILIC separation

Because melamine resin is often used in food packaging and tableware, melamine at ppm level (1 part per million) in food and beverage has been reported due to migration from melamine-containing resins.Small amounts of melamine have also been reported in foodstuff as a metabolite product of cyromazine, an insecticide used on animals and crops.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture In 2007, the FDA began using a high performance liquid chromatography test to determine the melamine, ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid contamination in food. Another procedure is based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). (USDA) provides a test method for analyzing cyromazine and melamine in animal tissues.

Here are some affected countries with the 2008 Chinese Milk Scandal:

Country/Regions	Brands (*see official list)	Reaction
Australia	White Rabbit, Koala, Kirin milk tea, Cadbury,[107][108]Dali Yuan, Orion cake etc.	Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued a general warning on White Rabbit candies after testing found melamine contamination at 180 ppm.[109] The authority also pulled Lotte Koala's March biscuits from all stores in the country as a precaution after discoveries of melamine were found in them overseas. A total of 6 products contaminated with melamine have already been recalled throughout Australia.
Argentina	Yili, Cadbury, Koala's March, etc.	The National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT), decided to ban the import and sale of 48 products of Chinese origin that contain milk or any of its derivatives as a preventive measure. The ANMAT published lists of the products, ranging from powdered milk to candies and cereal bars, and issued a general warning to the public to abstain from consuming them.[110]
Bangladesh	n/a	A minister recommended avoiding Cadbury's products following a recall elsewhere of the company's China-made chocolate. The Secretary of Food Department said that whilst they were testing, they would only advise people to avoid it for want of enough evidence to ban this product.[111]
Canada	Nissin Cha Cha Dessert mix	The four largest manufacturers of infant formula in Canada confirmed to the federal department that they did not use milk ingredients from China.[112] Mengniu strawberry yogurt, only distributed in Alberta and Saskatchewan (and with no English or French labelling), was recalled by its importers for possible melamine contamination.[113]
Chile	none	Chile announced the prohibition of any type of Chinese food products that contain Chinese milk effective 26 September,[114] and removed more than 2,000 packages with these items in order for analysis, although the Ministry of Health said that there was no evidence there was contaminated milk in Chile.[115]
Hong Kong	various*, incl Yili,Nestlé,Cadbury Dairy Milk, Dutch Lady	Authorities ordered a recall of Yili products after 8 out of 30 tested positive for melamine.[119] Several multinational brands were implicated in the affair: Nestlé's Dairy Farm Pure Milk with 1.4ppm melamine was found;[117] H.J Heinz recalled their Vegetable Formula Cereal;[120] Cadbury's chocolate products made in China were also affected.[121] The Hospital Authority set up special unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital to deal with potential cases. Hong Kong's first victim was diagnosed on 20 September.[ The Hospital Authority chairman said that in excess of 19,000 children had been given free kidney checks at its 18 outpatient clinics; Ten children were diagnosed with kidney problems.At least three of the victims came into contact with contaminated milk whilst living on the mainland.
India	n/a	On 25 September 2008 India announced the ban on import of dairy items, including milk and milk products, from China for three months following reports of contamination.
Indonesia	various*, incl M&M's, Oreos, and Cadbury's Dairy Milk	The Health Ministry of Indonesia imposed a pre-emptive import ban on dairy products from China, while offices of the Indonesian Food and Drugs Supervisory Agency (IFDSA) gave orders to withdraw Chinese dairy products from stores. The government also withdrew the local distribution permit given to the only dairy product from China. The health ministry said it had found melamine in twelve products, including products from Mars, Kraft FoodsMars disputed the Indonesian tests as being "impossibly high", and inconsistent with results from agencies across Asia and Europe. and Cadbury's.
Italy	Various products	On 16 October, a tonne of smuggled Chinese powdered milk, suspected to be contaminated, was seized in the Naples.
Japan	Marudai (recall), Chocolate Pillows, various products	Japan's central government was urged to suspend Chinese dairy imports by regional authorities. All importers were instructed by the government to test dairy imports from China for melamine or face huge fines and penalties. Japan found 17 to 36 ppm of melamine in 4 items of croissants imported by Top Trading Company from Jiangsu Province, China. Some brands of pastries, chocolate, egg tarts imported from China have been examined and contained melamine. Japanese pizza chain Saizeriya discovered melamine content in tests done on its pizza dough due to imported milk contents from China.
Laos	various products	On 28 September 2008, the Laotian government stopped all imports of milk products, such as milk-flavoured toffees, milk and milk powder from China. Tests done on samples taken from markets of Vientiane revealed two milk products containing melamine.
Macau	various*	On 23 September 2008, a 16-month-old boy in Macau who is said to have been brought up on Heilongjiang-manufactured Nestlé powder was diagnosed with kidney stones. Three girls who participated in a government-sponsored milk program were diagnosed with kidney stones. On 30 September, Unilever began recalling Lipton milk tea powder after found traces of melamine during the company's internal tests.[139]
Malaysia	Khong Guan, Khian Guan , Julie's cookies	Malaysia had banned dairy items from China in early 2008 because of foot and mouth disease in Chinese cattle. Although it had not yet ascertained the full extent of products affected, the Malaysian Health Ministry extended the ban to include candies, Following the positive testing of Khong Guan biscuits, Chinese produced ammonium carbonate was banned. chocolates and all foods containing milk on 23 September. Dutch Lady Milk Industries, whose milk in plastic bottles was tested positive in Singapore, reassured consumers that the tainted range was from China, and were not sold in Malaysia.
Myanmar	milk and infant powder (9 brands)	Chinese dairy goods are widely sold in Myanmar, but the Government issued no official warning and locals remain ignorant of the contamination. Yashili and Suncare recalled milk powder exported to Myanmar. On 30 September 2008 the Myanmar government banned on all Chinese milk products throughout the country.
Netherlands	Koala's March
New Zealand	Wahaha[149]	Tatua Co-operative Dairy Co, a large exporter of lactoferrin was alerted that melamine had been detected in its own product. The company confirmed contamination at less than four parts per million (4ppm), saying it would investigate.
Peru	White Rabbit Candy, various products	On 1 October 2008 the authorities in Peru began confiscating Chinese candy, cookies, buns, chocolates and other milk-based foodstuffs from shops mostly in Lima's Chinatown district.Already five types of milk-based products have been banned in Peru.
Philippines	Yili, Mengniu, Jolly Cow,[153][154] Lotte	On 24 September, the Philippines prohibited the importing and sale of Chinese milk, and asked stores to surrender them at state centres for inspection. Senator Pia Juliana Cayetano, the head of the health and demographics committee, warned that some retailers might repack powdered milk for resale in smaller bags to unsuspecting customers. The scares also resulted in fear of milk shortage in the country.
Qatar	n/a	Local distributors reaffirmed that "almost nothing... from China" ever makes it to Qatar, thus dairy and baby food products sold in the states were unlikely to be affected by melamine contamination.Qatar imposed a ban on the import and sale of White Rabbit candy, a product not officially sold in the state.
Russia	Milk powder, various products	On 30 September 2008, Russia banned the imports of dairy products from China. Russian authorities seized two tonnes of dairy products imported from China which contained melamine. On 3 October, milk powder containing melamine was discovered in Tomsk.
Singapore	various*, incl Cadbury, Silang House of Steamed Potato, Dutch Lady	On October 9, 2008 Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority found traces of melamine in three more Chinese made products. So far 13 Chinese food products have been found to contained melamine and Singapore has called for a total disposal of all contaminated products.
Slovakia	Koala, Pepero	Three to four times the legal limit of melamine were found in chocolate biscuits and snacks not yet commercialised. Also an illegally-imported milk drink was found to contain a high concentration melamine.
Solomon Islands	White Rabbit	High levels of melamine content were found in test done on White Rabbit candy sold in the Solomon Islands. The tests discovered that the melamine content exceeded the acceptable about of melamine by six times.
South Korea	Tatua, M&M, Snickers, Kit Kat, various products	The government declared an official import ban on all Chinese dairy products after traces of melamine were discovered in a sample of the popular Mi Sarang Custard snacks produced in China which are distributed by Haitai. The Korean Food and Drug Administration ordered all current Chinese dairy products on the market to be recalled and destroyed. Officials found melamine contamination in Nabisco Ritz cheese sandwiches and in rice crackers made by a Chinese company. Authorities discovered melamine in lactoferrin imported from New Zealand Tatua Cooperative Diary Company.
Sri Lanka	n/a	The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) took out a court order on Edna to halt sales, pending an inquiry, after learning it had imported milk from China.[168]
Switzerland	Lemon Puff Munchee, S&P, White Rabbit Candy	On 13 October, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health issued warnings of melamine contamination found in milk cookies from Thailand and biscuits from Sri Lanka.[169] The Swiss Federak Office of Public Health has already banned the sale and import White Rabbit candy made in China.
Taiwan	various, Mr. Brown Coffee,[73] Nestlé, Julie Butter Crackers[170]	On 22 September, Taiwan suspended imports of all mainland Chinese milk products and vegetable-based proteins until the problem of contamination in Chinese milk supplies had been addressed.[171] The Department of Health failed four Taiwanese companies' products for melamine; the Taipei City[172] named 14 bakeries as being users of contaminated milk, while tests showed that none had used contaminated products. The bakers were angry at being falsely accused and threatened to sue for damages. A two-year-old girl recently arrived from Guangzhou was reportedly the first victim in Taiwan. She was diagnosed with signs of a hardening kidney on 24 September.[173] One citizen voiced concern that President Ma Ying-jeou's promise for closer ties with China would bring in more tainted Chinese products to Taiwan.[174] The Minister of the Department of Health, Lin Fang-yue, was heavily criticised for raising the legally acceptable limit of melamine in food products from zero to 2.5 ppm. The public outcry subsequent to the move forced Lin to resign.[175][176][177][178] The Department of Health delisted six Neslac and KLIM products on 2 October, despite the minister saying their melamine levels did not pose a significant health risk. A DPP whip criticised the government's policy and testing standards on melamine as being "clear to nobody".[92] Nestlé issued a statement saying it failed to understand the delisting request, arguing that "the 0.05 ppm detection limit currently applied in Taiwan is up to 50 times below recognized and accepted international standards", and the delisting would cost the company NTD1 billion.[179] His successor, Yeh Chin-chuan, announced a return to the original zero-tolerance policy to melamine. On 30 September, Liu Chao-shiuan said that Taiwan would demand an apology and possible compensation from China over tainted milk.[180]
Tanzania	milk powder	Tanzania reported on 23 September that it had suspended Chinese dairy product imports and seized about 34 tonnes of milk powder (not baby formula) from China. Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority temporarily stopped issuing of permits for importation and distribution of milk and products containing milk from China, and ordered all businesses with relevant products to surrender their stocks.[181]
Thailand	Dutch Mill Mali condensed milk, S&P Milk Cookies	On 30 September, Thai authorities introduced restrictions on Chinese dairy products after discovering melamine on two samples of imported Chinese milk powder. On the previous day, Thailand impounded about sixty tonnes of contaminated milk powder.Authorities recalled all locally produced unsweetened condensed skimmed milk formula with a palm oil after finding high melamine contamination at the Thai Dairy Industry's factory. Hajuku Strawberry Stick is manufactured by Yantai Arari Confectionery and Food, Laboratory tests showed a level of melamine of 5.07 mg/kg in the strawberry stick
United Arab Emirates	n/a	On 25 September, United Arab Emirates enacted a ban on all dairy products in China. All supermarkets and food outlets have been directed to remove the products from their shelves.
United Kingdom	White Rabbit, "I Love You" chocolate-covered spreads	Supermarket chain Tesco recalled the sale of all White Rabbit candy in is stores throughout UK. Meanwhile a chocolate-covered spread that was sold around sex shops in UK was found to be contaminated with melamine.
USA	Mr. Brown, Blue Cat	The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory on 12 September over the possibility of contaminated milk powder being sold in speciality markets serving the Asian community in the U.S., while assuring consumers that no formula approved for sale in the U.S. was made in China.All manufacturers and marketers of baby formula in the U.S. assured the FDA that they received no ingredients from China. Another recall was made for Lotte Koala cookies due to fears of melamine contamination throughout the United States.
Vietnam	various milk powders, Yili, Khong Guan, Pokka, Hanoimilk	On 24 September, Vietnam banned all Chinese dairy products after finding melamine in a shipment of 101 tons of powdered milk from China.On 2 October, the health ministry reported the discovery of melamine in 18 food products imported from China, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. On 4 October, the authorities ordered schools to stop serving milk until the origins of their supplies had been certified.

All the informations were from www.wikipedia.org

MY OPINION...

Well for me, I don't know if this will be more alarming than the past issues about food these past years. But since there were many people who had experienced many dangerous symptoms that they were poisoned by Melamine so we really need to be more careful with what we will buy. I think this it will really have a great effect to children since there are many children who were poisoned.

People be alarmed and careful....