Press Release: EFSA
EFSA: European Food Safety Authority, http://www.efsa.europa.eu

EFSA assesses possible risks related to melamine in composite foods from China

25/09/2008
Following recent events in China, the European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide urgent scientific advice on health risks for European consumers related to the possible presence of melamine[1] in composite foods containing milk or milk products originating from China.

EFSA’s scientists today issued a statement saying that if adults in Europe were to consume chocolates and biscuits containing contaminated milk powder, they would not exceed the TDI (Tolerable Daily Intake) of 0.5 mg/kg body weight, even in worst case scenarios[2].

Children with a mean consumption of biscuits, milk toffee and chocolate made with such milk powder would also not exceed the TDI. However, in worst case scenarios with the highest level of contamination, children with high daily consumption of milk toffee, chocolate or biscuits containing high levels of milk powder would exceed the TDI. Children who consume both such biscuits and chocolate could potentially exceed the TDI by up to more than three times.

High levels of melamine can primarily affect the kidneys. EFSA applied the TDI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight for melamine in a specific case of contamination in 2007[3].

The Commission requested EFSA to focus its assessment on biscuits and chocolate which contain milk powder as such products can be imported from China. EFSA developed theoretical exposure scenarios based on European consumption figures[4] of biscuits and chocolate. In the absence of available data for contaminated milk powder, EFSA also used the highest value of melamine, reported in Chinese infant formula as a basis for worst case scenarios. EFSA stressed that it is not known at the moment whether such theoretical high level exposure scenarios could occur in Europe.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ian Palombi
E-mail: Press@efsa.europa.eu
Tel: +39 0521 036 149

[1] Melamine is a chemical compound commonly used in the manufacture of resins, plastics and glues. In Europe, melamine is approved for manufacturing plastic materials and articles, but the addition of melamine in food and animal feed is prohibited.
[2] EFSA used the highest value of melamine (approximately 2,500 mg/kg) reported in Chinese infant formula and consumption at the 95th percentile as a basis for worst case scenarios.
[3] Because there is uncertainty with respect to the time scale for development of kidney damage, EFSA used the TDI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight which is protective for exposure over a lifetime in considering possible effects of exposure to melamine over a relatively short period, such as might occur with repeated consumption of melamine contaminated products
[4] Panel evaluated data from the Concise European Consumption Database, the CAOBISCO industry association; data on levels of melamine in infant formula reported by the Chinese State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Headlines

The Nation, November 1, 2008: Thai eggs found free from melamine contamination
The Nation, October 30, 2008: Melamine discovered in Chinese eggs, authorities make first arrest
The Nation, October 29, 2008: Melamine found in milkchocolate wafers
The Nation, October 27, 2008: FDA should emulate EU in setting up early warning system
ThaiNewsLand.com, October 27, 2008: FDA assures no Melamine-contaminated eggs in TH
Bangkok Post, October 27, 2008: Eggs to be tested for melamine
The Nation, October 26, 2008: Melamine found for first time in eggs
Bangkok Post, October 25, 2008: FDA recalls 3 more melamine-tainted snacks
Bangkok Post, October 24, 2008: Melamine scandal highlights product liability challenges
The Nation, October 23, 2008: FDA to issue regulation on level of melamine
The Nation, October 18, 2008: FDA suspects local use of melaminetainted milk powder
The Nation, October 17, 2008: Huge batch of creamer to be tested
The Nation, October 16, 2008: FDA recalls skimmed milk with palm oil
The Nation, October 16, 2008: FDA seize non-diary creamer products to test melamine
The Nation, October 15, 2008: Mali-brand non-sweetened condensed milk contaminated
Bangkok Post, October 15, 2008: Milk with heavy melamine content seized
The Nation, October 7, 2008: More melamine contamination discovered
Bangkok Post, October 7, 2008: FDA to check if milk powder smuggled in
The Nation, October 3, 2008: Dutch Mill freezes
The Nation, October 3, 2008: Milk sales slide over china melamine scare
Bangkok Post, October 2, 2008: More dairy products cleared of melamine
The Nation, October 2, 2008: Melamine traces found here in China imports
The Nation, October 2, 2008: New job a challenge for Chalerm
The Nation, October 2, 2008: Chalerm wants to protect trade ties with China
The Nation, October 2, 2008: Dutch Milk returns problem milk to China
The Nation, October 1, 2008: FDA froze 60-tonne milk powder shipment from China
The Nation, October 1, 2008: Latest Chinese tests find 12 per cent of milk products tainted
The Nation, October 1, 2008: Chalerm wants to protect trade ties with China
The Nation, September 29, 2008: Cadbury withdraws made-in-China chocolate bars over milks
The Nation, September 26, 2008: Pizza Hut Taiwan investigates melamine found in cheese
The Nation, September 25, 2008: Temporary ban on Chinese dairy products
The Nation, September 24, 2008: warning on china sweets
The Nation, September 22, 2008: Chinese hospitals treat 13,000 infants for tainted milk
The Nation, September 16, 2008: Number of babies in China ill from bad milk rises to 1,253