Gov't finds single case of melamine-contaminated feed

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- The government said Friday that it has found a single case of melamine-contaminated feed out of 921 samples inspected since late last month.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the samples
collected and checked were those sold on the market from Sept. 22 to present.
The sample that tested positive for melamine -- an industrial chemical that can
cause kidney problems in humans -- involved a feed manufacturer in North Jeolla
Province that had been found to have produced contaminated feed last month.
"The feed was manufactured on Sept. 25 and made for fish, with the melamine
levels reaching 17ppm (parts per million)," a official said.
He added that all 11 tons produced by the company on that date has been banned
before reaching the market. Six tons already sold to two fish farms were
recalled.
The ministry, meanwhile, said that it is conducting a joint probe with local
authorities on how the chemical got into the feed.
Melamine is a nitrogen-based chemical that can pose serious health risks if
ingested frequently or in large quantities. It is used widely in kitchen
utensils, but if added to food items the nitrogen can artificially increase
protein levels, translating into higher prices.
Chinese health officials have said the use of melamine in dairy products has
killed at least four infants and left 54,000 others ailing from kidney stones or
other illnesses.
Earlier in the week, South Korea's food safety authority said it detected 10 food
products -- including those sold by Haitai Confectionery and Food Co., Lotte
Confectionery Co., Nestle SA and Mars Inc. -- tainted with melamine.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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