Melamine

Introduction

Melamine is an organic compound. Synthesised in 1834 by German chemist Justus von Liebig, it forms a very durable thermosetting plastic (melamine resin) when combined with formaldehyde, and has been used in products such as housewares (cookware, appliances, lighting etc.), fertilizers, countertops, flame retardants, glues, fabrics and dry‐erase boards (white boards). Since it consists of 66% nitrogen, melamine was also used as a so‐called nonprotein nitrogen (or NPN) in cattle food from 1958 onwards, until this was judged as unacceptable in 1978. Melamine is non‐toxic in low doses. However in combination with cyanuric acid, it can form insoluble crystals, leading to the formation of kidney stones, which can cause kidney failure and ultimately death, particularly in vulnerable individuals such babies and young children. For adults melamine is only dangerous in very high concentrations – the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a concern level of 0.5 mg/ kg body weight. factsheet MoniQA has published a factsheet on melamine which is available for download here.

Latest Melamine News Update

- Melamine in food: JRC report shows tests are effective (May 14, 2009) http://www.moniqa.org/node/1217 - Simple Lasers Used To Detect Melamine In Baby Formula (May 6, 2009) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430161236.htm - The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has confirmed fears that certain Chinese-based foods sold in Indonesia contain melamine (The Jakarta Post, 19. March, 2009) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/09/28/bpom-confirms-food-contamination.html - China says 300,000 babies sickened by tainted milk. (3 News, 3. Dec. 2008) http://www.3news.co.nz/News/China-says-300000-babies-sickened-by-tainted-milk/tabid/209/articleID/82583/Default.aspx?ArticleID=82583 and http://homepaddock.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/6-chinese-babies-dead-30-0000sickened-by-melamine-milk/ - Summary of the WHO Expert Consultation to review the Toxicological Aspects of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid. Download the report here. - MoniQA publishes melamine factsheet (pdf file) with general information about melamine and MoniQA actions in this area. - A MoniQA associate partner supports the WHO expert meeting on Melamine in Ottawa, Canada - read more in the workshop concept. - MoniQA Melamine Update: melamine contamination spreads to Chinese eggs. Compiled by Miles Thomas, Fera - MoniQA addresses Melamine issues - press release - China sets limits on melamine levels in milk products: China Daily: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/09/content_7088749.htm

General Documents and Links

- Power Point Presentation on MoniQA and Melamine, by Dr. Roland Poms, ICC and MoniQA coordinator (pdf format) - Summary of Melamine related news items, compiled by Dr. Miles Thomas, Fera - Power Point Presentation on the Melamine Case in China, by Xiafang Pei and Lishi Zang, Sichuan University, China - Power Point Presentation: A Regulator's Perspective, by Samuel Benrejeb Godefroy, Ph.D, Health Canada - Information on Melamine provided by the EU Joint Research Centre: http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa.eu/html/activities/melamine/ - Revised Commission Decision imposing special conditions governing the import of products containing milk or milk products originating in or consigned from China, and repealing Commission Decision 2008/757/EC

Methods and Reference Material

Romer Labs develops new ELISA test kit that has been designed to meet the coming regulatory limits for melamine in food products. http://www.romerlabs.com/news.html - Romer Labs AgraQuant(R) Melamine Sensitive Assay - Romer Labs Application Brief Rapid, Accurate Quantitation of Melamine by HPLC-UV using MycoSep 224 clean-up - U.S. Food And Drug Administration: Determination of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid Residues in Infant Formula using LC-MS/MS Laboratory Information Bulletin No 4421, October 2008 - U.S. Food And Drug Administration: Interim Method for Determination of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid Residues In Foods using LC-MS/MS: Version 1.0 Laboratory Information Bulletin No 4422, October 2008 - biopure Certificate of Analysis MELAMINE IN ACETONITRILE - WATER