No further melamine-contaminated food found: report

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's health authorities said Monday they have found no further melamine-contaminated processed foods here amid growing concerns over snacks and other dairy products imported from China.

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said in a statement that it has
conducted an investigation on an additional 44 products as of midnight Sunday and
that there were no traces of melamine detected. Around 40 percent of the total
428 products subject to the probe were found to be to melamine-free, it added.
Melamine is a nitrogen-based chemical that can pose health risks if taken in
large quantities, causing kidney problems. If added to food, the nitrogen can
artificially increase apparent protein content levels, translating into higher
prices.
Food concerns are growing here as Chinese health officials said four children
have died from consuming milk tainted with melamine, and about 54,000 others have
developed kidney stones or other illnesses.
So far, four products here have been found to be contaminated with the industrial
additive, including coffee creamer and snacks containing ingredients produced in
China. No South Korean victim has yet been reported.
On Sunday, the government and the ruling Grand National Party said that they will
introduce a sweeping package of consumer protection measures in the wake of the
Chinese milk scandal.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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