Melamine in animal feed
During 2008, melamine has been found in imports from the People's Republic of China (PRC) of organic soya expeller which is used for animal feed. Feed businesses that have recieved and used organic soya expeller from the PRC have been advised to quarantine any remaining supplies and have them analysed for the presence of melamine.
Summary
Stakeholders were advised that any consignment of organic soya expeller from the PRC or any compound feed which was suspected to contain this material, should not be fed and should be quarantined and sampled for the presence of melamine and the melamine-related substances.
The Food Standards Agency subsequently received analytical data from relevant UK stakeholders in respect of the presence of melamine and melamine-related substance in milk and feed. The data for milk from animals that received contaminated feed provide reassurance that the risk to the consumer is low. This supplemented earlier advice issued stating that it was unlikely that the consignment would give rise to harmful levels of residues of melamine in animal products for human consumption.
Based on advice from the European Commission, the Agency's view is that products which have a melamine content of no more than 2.5mg/kg (the maximum level set out in Decision 2008/921/EC) can be used and/or sold.
As Commission Decision 2008/921/EC requires testing of all feed containing soya or soya products originating or consigned from China there should be no need for further testing of organic milk in relation to this incident.
Notifications to feed businesses
Copies of notifications sent to stakeholders, including feed businesses, can be found at the links in the table below. This includes a list of laboratories that may analyse for melamine in animal feeding stuffs – this is for guidance only and is not an exhaustive list of all UK laboratories that can carry out melamine testing.
Letters to local authorities
Copies of letters sent to local authorities can be found at the links in the table below.
| Reference | Subject | Date sent |
|---|---|---|
| ENF/E/08/064 Update 3 | Melamine contamination of milk and milk products from China and Commission Decision 2008/798/EC | 17 October 2008 |
| ENF/E/08/076 | Melamine contamination of animal feed from China | 28 November 2008 |
| ENF/E/08/079/AF | Soya, soya products and ammonium from China | 12 December 2008 |
| ENF/E/08/086 | Melamine contamination of certain products from China: new declarations
|
22 December 2008 |
Related links
(pdf 84KB)