Melamine Detention
Dear Valued Customer,
In September, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) learned of
thousands of infant illnesses in China as a result of the consumption
of Chinese infant formula reported to contain melamine.  Investigation
revealed that the melamine came from contaminated milk used in the
formula.  Apparently the bulk milk collection point the milk was
diluted with water and melamine was added to the mixture to increase
the protein content of the watered down milk.
Because the contamination occurred at the bulk milk collection point
the problem is not limited to infant formula.  The contaminated milk
has been used in the manufacture of a large variety of finished goods
and ingredients for other food products.  More than thirteen countries
around the world have reported contamination of products containing
ingredients derived from milk.
As a result of this worldwide problem the FDA has issued a directive
to the FDA agents in the field.  The directive requires detention
without physical examination of all milk products; milk derived
ingredients and finished food products containing milk from China due
to the presence of melamine and/or melamine analogs.
In order to secure release of an individual shipment the importer must
provide either results of a third party laboratory analysis, of a
representative sample of the lot, which verifies the product does not
contain melamine or cyanuric acid or documentation supplied in English
which shows there are no milk or milk-derived ingredients in the
product.  The documentation will include product formulation and
product labeling.
Products covered by this detention order include all milk products,
all milk derived ingredients and finished food product containing
milk.  Some examples of the products that all under this order
include, but are not limited to
Bakery products, dough, cake mixes and icings
Cereal, including breakfast cereal, preparations
Snack Foods
Milk, butter, dried milk products
Cheese and cheese products
Ice Cream products
Filled Milk and imitation milk products
Soft drinks based on milk
Noncarbonated soft drinks
Carbonated soft drinks and bottled water
Fruit based drinks
Candy
Chocolate and cocoa products
Custard and pudding
Baby food products
Iodinated casein
Dairy byproducts for animals, animal waste feed products, other
byproducts for animals
Pet foods, laboratory animal feeds, other animal feeds
Importers of these products with a Country of Origin of China,
regardless of the country of export, should be aware that there is a
very good chance that these products will not be released by the FDA.
Importers of these products that do not contain milk or milk products
should be prepared to present the required documentation with the
entry paperwork in order to reduce delays.
If you require additional information or clarification, please contact
your local DHL Global Forwarding representative.
Sincerely,
Karl F. Krueger
Regulatory Compliance Consultant
Licensed Customs Broker
NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist