Melamine found in Chinese milk powder in Thailand

INT16International/HealthMelamine found in Chinese milk powder in ThailandBangkok, Sep 30 DPA Thailand's Food and Drug Administration FDA has found traces of melamine in 20 tonnes of milk powder imported from China, where at least four children have died from excessive melamine intake, media reports said Tuesday. The chemical was found in samples of milk powder taken from Dutch Mill Company's warehouse, but the FDA has yet to issue a warning on the product until further tests are made to determine the level of melamine, the Bangkok Post newspaper said. FDA secretary-general Narangsan Peerakit said results of the tests will be announced Wednesday. Dutch Mill managing director Thirayuth Chaisawangwong said the company will keep the 20 tonnes of milk powder in storage until the FDA confirms the product's quality. European Union EU standards allow an intake of 0.5 milligrams of melamine, a chemical substance used to make plastic, per kilogram of body weight per day. Excessive use of the chemical, used to spike milk products to boost their protein level, has caused the deaths of four infants and hospitalisation of some 13,000. Besides distributing powder milk to Thailand, Dutch Mill also exports its products to Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.--DPAskp/217 Words30091030