Thai FDA bans milk-flavoured toffee from China

BANGKOK, Sept 24 (TNA) - Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
ordered its offices in border provinces, ports and airports to temporarily
ban the entry of milk-flavoured toffee from China, for fear that the candy
may possibly contain melamine, according to FDA Secretary-General Chatree
Banchuen.

Milk powder contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine has
sickened more than 54,000 children in China, while nearly 13,000 infants
have been admitted to hospital, 104 in serious condition with kidney
stones and agonising complications. Four babies died.

Mr. Chatree said some consumers had expressed worries that the popular
Rabbit brand of milk-flavoured toffee imported from China with an edible
inner wrapping may also contain malamine.

Because of the threat of additional contamination he ordered FDA officials
on high alert and banned the import of the category of toffee candies for
the time being. Testing of toffee samples in the market is being done to
determine whether it can be safely consumed.

As for the infant fomula milk powders that are available in Thailand's
markets, the FDA chief said he was confident that the products were free
of melamine as most of the products were produced from raw materials
imported from New Zealand and European countries.

However, dairy productd for adults -- including yoghurt -- may use milk
powder from China, but less than 10 per cent, he said, which could pose
minimal risk.

Mr. Chatree also recommended that consumers avoid milk-flavoured toffee
from China until the authorities complete their assessment and confirm
that there is no contamination.

Melamine, usually used to make plastics and fertiliser, can cause kidney
stones and lead to kidney failure. It has been found in candy, buns and
milk cartons sold internationally.

Since the scandal broke earlier this month, Bangladesh, Brunei, Japan,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan have placed at least
partial import bans on Chinese dairy products.

BANGKOK, Sept 24 (TNA) - Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
ordered its offices in border provinces, ports and airports to temporarily
ban the entry of milk-flavoured toffee from China, for fear that the candy
may possibly contain melamine, according to FDA Secretary-General Chatree
Banchuen.

Milk powder contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine has
sickened more than 54,000 children in China, while nearly 13,000 infants
have been admitted to hospital, 104 in serious condition with kidney
stones and agonising complications. Four babies died.

Mr. Chatree said some consumers had expressed worries that the popular
Rabbit brand of milk-flavoured toffee imported from China with an edible
inner wrapping may also contain malamine.

Because of the threat of additional contamination he ordered FDA officials
on high alert and banned the import of the category of toffee candies for
the time being. Testing of toffee samples in the market is being done to
determine whether it can be safely consumed.

As for the infant fomula milk powders that are available in Thailand's
markets, the FDA chief said he was confident that the products were free
of melamine as most of the products were produced from raw materials
imported from New Zealand and European countries.

However, dairy productd for adults -- including yoghurt -- may use milk
powder from China, but less than 10 per cent, he said, which could pose
minimal risk.

Mr. Chatree also recommended that consumers avoid milk-flavoured toffee
from China until the authorities complete their assessment and confirm
that there is no contamination.

Melamine, usually used to make plastics and fertiliser, can cause kidney
stones and lead to kidney failure. It has been found in candy, buns and
milk cartons sold internationally.

Since the scandal broke earlier this month, Bangladesh, Brunei, Japan,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan have placed at least
partial import bans on Chinese dairy products.