In September 2008, the Chinese government announced that the industrial chemical melamine had been discovered in infant formula produced in China. As of October 22, 2008, melamine-contaminated products manufactured in China have been found in several countries throughout the world, and the list of affected countries and products continues to grow.

Melamine, in high doses, is a chemical that can cause health problems such as kidney disease. In China, contaminated milk products have caused nearly 60,000 children to be brought for medical care, thousands of children to be hospitalized, and at least four infant deaths. Similar health problems have been reported in Hong Kong and Singapore but have not been confirmed.

Melamine has been found in several products produced in China, including liquid milk, frozen yogurt, instant coffee, coffee creamer, ice cream, chocolate cookies, candies, eggs and more. For a list of affected products in the United States, visit www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/melamine.html

Advice for Consumers Worldwide

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers worldwide to continue to avoid using any infant formula made in China, as well as any milk products or products with milk-derived ingredients made in China.

Advice for Travelers to China

If you are traveling to or are currently in China, especially if you are traveling with an infant, you should take the following steps so that you and your family can avoid the risk of melamine exposure.

1) Because of uncertainties related to dairy products in China at this time, CDC recommends that you do not consume any dairy products produced in China, including─

• All brands of infant formula
• Milk or other drinks that contain milk products, such as instant flavored coffee and coffee creamers
• Food, such as yogurt or ice cream, that could be milk-based or contain a large amount of milk or milk products
• Foods and drinks that contain milk products, such as candies, crackers, and desserts. Look for these ingredients on the food or drink label:
  • milk
  • milk powder
  • whey
  • lactose
  • casein

It is important to note that dairy products produced in the United States and imported into China for sale are not affected.

2) If you are traveling to China and are planning to bring your infant or child, please carry any needed formula or other milk products with you. Do not use any milk products produced in China.

3) If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and have already ingested some of these listed products, discontinue their use immediately. Effects on the unborn child are unknown. Melamine stays in the body for only a few days. The effects on the kidneys of the formula-fed infants in China are thought to result from continuous use of the products over many days.

4) See a doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms or think that an infant may have any of these symptoms:

• stomach pain
• vomiting
• fever
• irritability or excessive crying in infants or children
• blood, crystals, or particles in urine
• painful urination
• little or no urine
• swelling of hands, feet, or face

While abroad, you can contact the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you think you may need assistance.

• Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the United States are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide assistance to U.S. citizens.
• To contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate in the country where you are visiting:
  • Dial 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the United States or Canada,
  • Dial 00 1 202-501-4444 if calling from overseas, or
  • Find your local U.S. Embassy at Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions.

5) If you have recently returned to the United States from China and think you or your child may have been exposed to melamine, talk to your doctor. If you or your child has any of the symptoms listed above, see a doctor right away. The American Society for Pediatric Nephrology has written an important message for doctors and parents on how to evaluate children who may have melamine-related kidney disease.

Special advice for U.S. travelers going to China to adopt an infant

If you are planning a trip to China to adopt an infant, please carry any needed formula or other milk products with you. Do not use any milk products produced in China. When you return home, please have your child evaluated by a pediatrician as soon as possible. Inform the pediatrician that your child was adopted from China and that there is therefore the possibility that the child may have been exposed to contaminated milk products before being placed in your care.

More Information

For more information about melamine and the current situation, see the following links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Melamine in Food Products Manufactured in China

U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• Melamine Contamination in China, October 18, 2008
• FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination, September 23, 2008
• FDA Issues Health Information Advisory on Infant Formula, September 12, 2008

• Questions and answers on melamine.
• Melamine-contamination event, China, September 2008
• Melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula in China, September 18, 2008
• Melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula in China – update, September 22, 2008

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC)

• English language home page - http://www.chinacdc.net.cn/n272562/index.html
• Chinese language home page – http://www.ChinaCDC.net.cn/