Jen's chemical life

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Melamine Comtamination

Recently, our Taiwan government announced a safe range of less than 2.5 ppm of melamine for food items. This is really ridiculous because melamine must be forbidden in the food items. You can see from the following news cited from FDA website that they even have a ban against importing formula or sourcing milk-based materials from China.


FDA Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement
September 23, 2008
Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-827-0955
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA



FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination
On September 12, 2008, in light of reports from China of melamine contaminated infant formula, the FDA issued a Health Information Advisory to proactively reassure the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products in the United States. That advisory also warned members of Chinese communities in the United States that infant formula manufactured in China, possibly available for purchase at Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants.

The FDA had contacted the companies who manufacture infant formula for distribution in the United States and received, from the companies, information that they are not importing formula or sourcing milk-based materials from China.

At the same time, the FDA—in conjunction with state and local officials—began a nation-wide investigation to check Asian markets for Chinese manufactured infant formula that may have been brought into the United States. In particular, this effort focused on areas of the country with large Chinese communities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and New York. To date, investigators have visited more than 1,000 retail markets and have not found Chinese infant formula present on shelves in these markets.

In addition, the FDA is advising consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in China from internet sites or from other sources.

The FDA has taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to help ensure the safety of the American food supply. In conjunction with state and local officials, the FDA will continue to check Asian markets for food items that are imported from China and that could contain a significant amount of milk or milk proteins. In addition, the FDA has broadened its domestic and import sampling and testing of milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk, such as candies, desserts, and beverages that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources. Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein.

This sampling and testing is done when these ingredients or products are imported into the United States or found during visits to Asian markets. If the products are adulterated because they contain melamine and/or a melamine analog, the FDA will take action to prevent the products from entering the U.S. food supply.

In addition to state and local governments, the FDA is working in close cooperation with Customs and Border Protection within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, and foreign governments

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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Phthalates Information

I found some useful websites for phthalates, and suggest you to take a look Phthalates Information center Europe and the topic on thedailygreen how to avoid phthalates Also, check out an interesting phthalates free, elastomer toy

Phthalates are an important part of our everyday lives because it is used in a wide variety of products from medical devices to toys to cars to homes. They can make vinyl soft and flexible. They are also added to cosmetic products to stabilize fragrance within the product.

Studies in animals suggest that phthalates may cause reproductive harm and birth defects. California will ban the use of phthalates in toys and baby products as of 2009.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Back to my background ~ chemicals

這是我新建立關於 chemical 的plog, 繞了一大圈才知道所有的科技產業都脫離不了化學, 還是回到自己所學的領域. 我首先將一些有用的網頁做連結, 或許以後會張貼相關的專業知識....