Melamine & Meat

Melamine is a synthetic crystalline compound composed of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. Melamine is used to make resins, which are in turn used to make plastics. When heated to a high temperature and combined with formaldehyde, melamine forms a durable, plastic material. The material is often used to make dishes and cleaning products. Ingesting high levels of melamine is dangerous for humans and animals.

Use in Food

• The United States prohibits the use of melamine as a food additive. However, substances that come into contact with food may contain melamine.

Melamine Recall

• In 2007 and 2008, pet food and baby formula imported from China were recalled in the United States because they were found to contain melamine and led to illness and death for both pets and babies.

Meat Exposure

• Following the recalls, it was learned that cyromazine, a chemical derived from melamine, had been used in animal feed and pesticides in China. Its use prompted authorities in Hong Kong and the United States to test meat for possible contamination.

U.S. Meat Testing

• The United States tested 539 samples of meat products in April 2009. All the samples had a melamine concentration of less than 1.0 ppm, which was not classified as a public health concern.

Melamine Risks

• According to the Centers for Disease Control website, studies conducted on animals have shown that exposure to low doses of melamine present little risk. However, exposure to higher levels of the chemical has caused urinary problems in animals, and continuous exposure to melamine caused bladder cancer.