World Health Organization Announcement

Since the baby formula scandal in China back in September '08 and the pet food recall in 2007, the World Health Organization has been reviewing research to determine whether or not melamine is safe to consume at any level. According to Wikipedia, melamine is a derivative of a calcium compound and is used in the production of countertops, dry erase boards, fabrics, glues, housewares and flame retardants, among other things. Melamine is also one of the major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics. China is the world's largest exporter. Melamine is sometimes illegally added to food products in order to increase the apparent protein content, which is what happened in China and caused over 6000 babies to become ill after drinking the contaminated formula. At least 4 babies died from malnutrition.

Ingestion of melamine may lead to reproductive damage, and bladder or kidney stones, which can lead to bladder cancer. According to international experts as reported by TopNews.com "Melamine is a contaminant that should not be in food. However, sometimes it is unavoidable." Melamine resin is used in food packaging and tableware, and is capable of migrating to food and beverages.

For the first time, the WHO has set a tolerable daily intake limit (TDI) in order to provide an industry standard. The TDI standard for melamine has been set at 0.2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Toxicity levels had previously been determined at 3 grams per kilogram of body weight. But melamine levels are not routinely monitored in food because of the relatively low toxicity and the expense of detection methods.

So what does this mean for the average consumer? If we are following general guidelines for healthy nutrition, the risk of exposure to melamine will be greatly reduced. We should limit the number of prepackaged foods that we buy and consider buying fresh ingredients instead. And although formula manufactured in the US has not been contaminated, this issue may remind mothers that infant formula is a processed food containing ingredients that may be foreign to a baby's system. Mothers should consider nursing throughout the first year of a baby's life if possible.