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Friday, October 10, 2008
Are you worried about food tainted with melamine in U.S.?
As the affected product list grows, some people are concerned about local markets carrying food produced in China. Are you worried? Are you changing your buying habits accordingly?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I have been reading stories about the 54,000 Chinese babies sickened by the baby milk contaminated with melamine, I have been pained for the families. But I have also been somewhat relieved it wasn’t something I would have to worry about personally. As the list grew to include chocolates, I once again took it off my radar as it appeared to only include chocolates sold abroad.
But yesterday I got a note from a friend telling me that his pregnant wife had picked up some popular Chinese candy at a local Asian market off Buford Highway. She had eaten several pieces of the White Rabbit candy when she realized it was a brand that was on the list of foods contaminated with melamine — a chemical used in making plastics. She has no indication that the particular lot was contaminated, but she stopped eating it and says she’s definitely thinking twice about products that she buys at Asian markets (and any products imported from China at her regular market).
After further investigation, it seems like that may be a wise move. Canada recalled the White Rabbit candy in late September and is now recalling Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate.
The Allentown Morning Call reports that the FDA has identified a melamine-contaminated drink sold in Asian stores throughout the U.S. According to the story:
“Melamine was in Blue Cat Flavor Drink distributed by Tristar Food Wholesale Co. of Jersey City, N.J., according to an agency statement Monday.”
”The company began a recall of several flavors and the FDA isn’t aware of any illnesses.”
So now I’m starting to worry. Are you concerned about foods containing melamine being found in the U.S.? Are you particularly concerned if you shop at Asian markets or even eat at Chinese restaurants that may be using imported food products? Are you concerned enough to change your buying habits?
I have prepared a little Cliffs Notes research for you guys on the melamine situation with links to multiple stories and sites:
Let’s start with a nice overview of the whole melamine story from U.S. News and World Report.
This is a list of affected products known so far. I am looking for an updated list from a news source we know.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s official site and its links.
What is melamine, and how does it affect our bodies?
How much melamine is safe to eat?
And finally from The Wall Street Journal a look at if China is being up front about the number of children really affected by the melamine.
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