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Melamine Traces Found in US Infant Formula

Feds say there's no health risk to babies

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 25, 2008 6:40 PM CST

(AP) – Traces of the industrial chemical melamine have been detected in samples of top-selling US infant formula, but federal regulators insist the products are safe. A top official said the levels detected are so low that it would be a "dangerous overreaction" for parents to stop using formula. An outbreak in China has killed at least three infants and sickened 50,000, but the melamine concentrations were 10,000 times higher.

The FDA detected melamine in a sample of one popular formula (Mead Johnson's Infant Formula Powder, Enfamil LIPIL with Iron) and the presence of cyanuric acid, a chemical relative of melamine, in the formula of a second manufacturer. Separately, a third major formula maker said in-house tests had detected trace levels of melamine in its infant formula. The three firms—Abbott Laboratories, Nestle, and Mead Johnson—manufacture more than 90 percent of all infant formula produced in the US.

A 1-year-old Chinese girl drinks milk from a bottle in Beijing Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)

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Melamine Traces Found in US Infant Formula

Feds say there's no health risk to babies

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FDA Stops All Imports of Orange Juice

Feds will test for fungicide

FDA: Fungicide Is in Your OJ

An anonymous juice company alerted agency to problem

FDA to Rule on BPA Ban by March

Agency agrees to deadline as part of lawsuit settlement

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Revised measure passes by unanimous consent

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House set to send the bill back

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Feds say there's no health risk to babies

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • FDA • melamine • food safety • infant formula

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

FDA Stops All Imports of Orange Juice

Feds will test for fungicide

FDA: Fungicide Is in Your OJ

An anonymous juice company alerted agency to problem

FDA to Rule on BPA Ban by March

Agency agrees to deadline as part of lawsuit settlement

Senate Passes Food Safety Bill in Surprise Vote

Revised measure passes by unanimous consent

Senate Screw Up Derails Food Safety Bill

House set to send the bill back

About Us

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Newser By Users

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More News

What is Newser?