Melamine Contamination in the news again: Law Firm investigation potential claims
The trial lawyers at Keefe Law Firm are investigating recent news of the serious and life-threatening risks posed by melamine contamination in various products including infant formula, candies, biscuits & cookies, milk drinks and various coffee products. The investigation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) began in September 2008 with reports of melamine contaminated infant formula from China. Recently, the FDA has widened the scope of its investigation to include various products which contain a considerable amount of mil or milk proteins. The FDA has recommended that consumers not consume certain products because of a possible melamine contamination. The November 28, 2008 update of the FDA’s investigation follows:
November 28, 2008: FDA’s ongoing investigation continues to show that the domestic supply of infant formula is safe and that consumers can continue using U.S. manufactured infant formulas. FDA has concluded that levels of melamine alone or cyanuric acid alone, at or below 1 part per million (ppm) in infant formula do not raise public health concerns. FDA has updated its interim risk assessment, issued in early October, with this information:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/melamra4.html.
The FDA has been collecting and analyzing samples of domestically manufactured infant formula for the presence of melamine and melamine-related compounds. To date, FDA tests have found extremely low levels of melamine in one infant formula sample and extremely low levels of cyanuric acid in another. The levels were so low (well below 1 ppm) that they do not pose a health risk to infants: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/melamine/testresults.html.
Melamine is not naturally occurring and is not approved to be directly added to food in the United States. However, melamine is approved for use as part of certain food contact substances. Low levels of melamine are present in the environment and trace amounts may occur in certain food commodities as a result of approved uses.
Parents using infant formula should continue using U.S. manufactured infant formula. Switching away from using one of these infant formulas to alternate diets or home-made formulas could result in infants not receiving the complete nutrition required for proper growth and development.
Transcript for FDA’s Media Briefing: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/transcripts/2008/melamine112808.pdf, FDA’s Updated Interim Safety and Risk Assessment of Melamine and its Analogues in Food for Humans November 28, 2008
FDA’s Warnings/Advisories
The FDA is advising consumers not to consume the following products because of possible melamine contamination:
- Topaz Hazelnut Wafer Rolls with Hazelnut Chocolate Flavored Creme Filling (photo page)
- Sweet Time Christmas Dressy Bear with Chocolate Bar
- Fresh and Crispy Jacobina Biscuits
- Koala’s March Crème filled Cookies
- YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink
- YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink
- Blue Cat Flavored Drinks
- White Rabbit Candies
- Mr. Brown Mandehling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)
- Infant formula manufactured in China
Additional information regarding the melamine contamination can be found at the link below: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/melamine.html
On November 25, 2008, the New York Times reported that the FDA had “discovered the toxic chemical melamine in infant formula made by an American manufacturer, raising the possibility that the problem was more extensive in the United States than previously thought.” (See full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/us/26formula.html?_r=1&ref=us)
The FDA has also recently been able to set a safety threshold for the presence of melamine in baby formula which is “1 part per million of melamine in formula, provided [that] a related chemical is not present.” The recent news of melamine contamination has also prompted some members of Congress to demand a national recall. The FDA produced these results from some of its testing:
“Nestle’s Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron had two positive tests for melamine in one sample; Mead Johnson’s Infant Formula Powder, Enfamil LIPIL with Iron had three positive tests on one sample for cyanuric acid.”
Abbot Laboratories, a major formula maker told the Associated Press that its own in-house tests had revealed trace levels of melamine in its infant formula. (See full article at target=”_blank”>http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7SAbhJj3By_isZUoRAgTOPHzwkQD94OM2CG0) In light of such findings, it appears that melamine contamination is no longer a matter limited to products exported from China or other nations; but a domestic concern as well
As the FDA and corporate investigations continue, consumers should remain informed and carefully monitor the FDA alerts and website and ensure that they are not using any of the potentially dangerous products listed therein.
Melamine is a hazardous, chemical substance used to produce such items as plastic, cleaning products, glues, flame retardants, and fertilizer. The ingestion of this dangerous chemical can lead to risks of reproductive damage, bladder or kidney stones, and bladder cancer. If you think you or a loved one may have been injured by consuming any of these melamine contaminated products, please seek medical treatment and contact the trial lawyers at our law firm.
The product liability attorneys at Keefe Law Firm are hard at work doing their part to protect the public from potentially dangerous infant products as these melamine contaminated products. If you or a loved one has used or is using one of these potentially toxic goods and have experienced any serious side effects, you may have a legal claim or lawsuit related to these defective products. Contact the trial attorneys at Keefe Law Firm to see if they can help you.