MELAMINE

Food Safety Issues-Melamine

Food Safety Issues-Melamine

Introduction

The globalization of trade and the increasing complexity of the food chain have strengthened public concern about food safety, especially food being traded border. The public and organizations working in the field of safety Foods are now increasingly aware of the impact of contaminated products as health human prosperity on the food industry. The most recent global crisis, due to contamination with melamine killed at least 300 000 people and six deaths. Approximately 115 types of food products were affected. The crisis has caused infections human or non-lethal, disrupted trade and caused enormous economic losses in all countries.

Melamine is a chemical substance, which is obtained by condensation of urea. Melamine (chemical name: 1, 3, 5-triazine-2, 4, 6-triamine) is a colourless and odourless powder (Brown et.al, 2007, pp. 3-488). Melamine is mainly used as a component of synthetic resins (thermosets such as formate ca®). It is also used in adhesives, paints and textile dyeing. Melamine is an allowable material for the manufacture of plastics; the intended purpose may come into contact with food.

It is assumed that melamine was used in protein content of low quality to enhance products. For example, in diluted milk a normal protein content be could achieved. Melamine in small amounts can be used in the food packaging materials.

In the Ordinance, there are rules about how much melamine in the food may only make packaging materials. It is quite possible that food in Switzerland contain small amounts of melamine, which are not harmful to health (Cianciolo et.al, 2008, pp.12-23). On the other hand, foods may be under a general provision in Article 8 of the food, and Utility Articles LGV not being contaminated. If in the Swiss market, contaminated food from China appears, the cantonal supervisory authorities initiate measures, for example, and the destruction of the goods is located.

Discussion

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has a Risk assessment in late September of foods contaminated with melamine in China. It placed a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.5 mg melamine / kg body weight. This means that one Child weighing 20 kg per day should take not more than 10mg of melamine itself. Melamine can damage kidney. In China young children are in majority, so the children had consumed food that was eventually severely polluted with melamine, and suffered from kidney stones (Brown et.al, 2007, pp. 3-488). There were even a few deaths. The EFSA has calculated that a child daily consumes large quantities of milk-containing products, such as chocolate upload, biscuits, toffees, etc., which are contaminated with melamine. An exceptional exceeded TDI will not cause kidney problems. For adults through the consumption of contaminated food, there is no health risks endangerment.

In December 2008, the World Health Organization had a pre-taken re-evaluation and set the TDI of 0.2mg melamine / kg body weight. Thus, a 50kg person should take a maximum of 10mg of melamine itself per day. The previous limits set for melamine in food achieved, despite the adaptation of the TDI's health ...