Chinese melamine scandal widens: The toxic chemical melamine is probably being routinely added to Chinese animal feed, state media has reported.
There are fears contamination could be widespread throughout the food chain
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The toxic chemical melamine is probably being routinely added to Chinese animal feed, state media has reported.
Correspondents say the unusually frank reports in several news outlets are an admission that contamination could be widespread throughout the food chain.
The melamine scandal began early in September, when at least four Chinese babies were killed by contaminated milk, and thousands more became ill.
The news led firms across Asia to recall products made from Chinese milk.
The problem widened last weekend when the
authorities in Hong Kong reported that melamine had also been detected
in Chinese eggs.
Four brands of eggs have since been found to be contaminated, and agriculture officials speculate that the cause was probably melamine-laced feed given to hens.
Melamine is high in nitrogen, and the chemical is added to food products to make them appear to have a higher protein content.
'Open secret'
Several state newspapers carried reports on Thursday suggesting that the addition of melamine to animal feed was widespread.
The feed industry seems to have acquiesced to agree on using the chemical to reduce production costs while maintaining the protein count for quality inspections," the state-run China Daily said in an editorial.
"We cannot say for sure if the same chemical has made its way into other types of food," the newspaper added.
You can read the entire article from BBC World News - America here. Please be careful this holiday. Make sure your children do not consume any candy before you inspect it. 'If in doubt, throw it out' is the old saying in my family for at least three generations.
Categories: Consumer Advisory, Protecting America, China Imports, Melamine Contamination
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