September 22, 2008
On September 12, 2008, the Government of Canada issued a consumer advisory about infant formula originating from China to inform Canadians about the risk of adulteration with melamine. The advisory confirmed that no infant formula approved in Canada uses milk ingredients sourced from China and that no formulas produced in China are approved for sale in Canada.
Since that time the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) coordinated a national retail survey of approximately 300 stores in Canada and found no evidence of infant formulas produced in China. It is cautioning Canadians against purchasing infant formulas manufactured in China from Internet sites or from other sources. No illnesses, consistent with those reported in China or associated with melamine, have been reported in Canada.
The Government of Canada is actively protecting the safety of Canada's food supply. The investigation into melamine contamination has been expanded to include other potentially affected products in addition to infant formula. Specifically, products made from milk or milk-derived ingredients that could contain contaminated product are being examined. Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein.
As part of its activities, an expanded Border Lookout has been put in place to monitor products that contain milk or milk-derived ingredients or finished food products that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources. In addition, random sampling and testing of milk-based products in Canada is being undertaken. If potentially implicated products are found through the Border Lookouts, inspections or other investigations, they will be sampled and tested for melamine. Samples have already been taken and are being tested, including food products from companies currently under investigation in China.
CFIA officials have also advised manufacturers and food processors that contamination with melamine may extend beyond milk-derived ingredients in infant formulas and may include any food product manufactured using milk or milk-derived ingredients sourced in/from China. The industry in Canada is reviewing product lines to determine which may contain milk or milk-derived ingredients sourced in/from China and will advise CFIA of any potentially contaminated foods.
Although no products have been found in Canada at this time, the CFIA is taking additional precautionary measures, including product recalls, to ensure that any foods that could potentially contain melamine are removed from the marketplace. For example, on September 21st, the CFIA and Regent Long Marketing and Distribution Ltd issued a consumer advisory advising people not to consume the Nissin Cha Cha Dessert. This product was made using Yili Pure Milk, in which melamine has been detected. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
The Government is also working with other countries to take action if products containing melamine are found. If product is found to be contaminated, whether through testing or other investigations, the product will be pulled and the usual recall process will take place. For recall information related to a specific product, consumers should consult the CFIA's web site at www.inspection.gc.ca. Some retailers in Canada may have already removed product from their shelves as a precaution.
Health Canada has also notified all licence holders and licence applicants for natural health products (NHPs) containing significant amounts of milk proteins, such as NHPs that are nutritional supplements or protein bars, of the situation involving melamine contamination and asked for information as to the sources of the ingredients they use. As an additional precautionary measure, Health Canada will be testing selected samples of various NHPs containing significant amounts of milk proteins, to determine whether melamine contamination is present.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to collaborate with the World Health Organization and other international medical and public health partners to share information regularly on this issue. The PHAC continues to monitor disease trends in case they indicate exposure to melamine.
These actions are being taken as a precautionary measure only. The Government of Canada is continuing its ongoing vigilant monitoring of food and regulated health products.
September 12, 2008
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada are advising consumers to avoid purchasing infant formula originating from China. While this product is not approved for sale in Canada, it is possible that it could have been illegally imported to Canada and may be for sale in some stores that carry ethnic foods.
To date, no infant formulas contaminated with melamine have been found in Canada and, in fact, no formulas produced in China are approved for sale in Canada.
The CFIA has also implemented a border lookout on milk protein products and will detain and test any suspect products found. In addition, CFIA inspectors will be checking retail establishments to determine if the formula is present in stores.
All infant formula sold in Canada must be approved by Health Canada. Infant formula manufacturers are required to submit detailed information for Health Canada's review in order to ensure that infant formula sold in Canada is safe and nutritious.
