TNS Worldpanel, global market leader in consumer purchasing information, today announced that although China’s dairy market was hit by sales spiralling downwards, there are many winners emerging from the melamine scandal. The criminal contamination of milk products in China led to the tragic deaths of four babies as well as causing over 54,000 infants to fall ill and has seen food standards bodies worldwide test and assess the safety of dairy products from China. For international dairy brands,... ...Read more »

Further laboratory of a faeces sample provided from the much-publicised ice-cream incident at the Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney have proved inconclusive as to its origin, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said. “Tests by the NSW Food Authority have been unable to determine the origin of the faecal sample because of insufficient good quality DNA material in the sample,” he advised. “An earlier test showed that it was faecal matter, but was unable to determine if it came from... ...Read more »

Fonterra, which owns 43 per cent of Sanlu - the company at the centre of the melamine scandal in China, has denied reports it is looking to sell its stake, according to ABC Online. News reports have suggested the New Zealand dairy co-operative has been in talks to sell its share of the company in the wake of the scandal which has led to the death of four babies and the illness of about 54,000 infants. It has been considered a “criminal contamination”, with over 20 people arrested for... ...Read more »

International media reports have cast doubt about the safety of certain fruit and vegetable products exported from China including Chinese mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce. There are concerns some may be tainted with melamine, the toxic chemical at the centre of the ongoing Chinese milk scandal. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand this afternoon released a statement outlining that no products in Australia have been found to be affected but further tests were being carried out. “Australia... ...Read more »

A withdrawal of Kirin Milk Tea, made in China, has commenced in Australia by importers and wholesalers. The action began on 3 October 2008 and follows Australian test results showing levels of melamine in product available here. Retailers should not sell the product and consumers are advised not to consume Kirin Milk Tea made in China. Consumers should dispose of the product safely out of the reach of children. The product, sold primarily at Asian food stores, is the fourth product recall in Australia... ...Read more »

Australian food safety agencies have today advised that they continue to actively investigate and respond to melamine contamination of some products containing dairy ingredients made in China and elsewhere. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is coordinating action among Federal, State and Territory food agencies, including: * working with importers and food manufacturers in Australia to ascertain if products contain Chinese dairy product as an ingredient possibly contaminated with melamine; *targeted... ...Read more »

In the wake of the Chinese milk scandal, which has led to the deaths of four babies and made of 54,000 infants ill, international food safety and health authorities are working together to determine the level of melamine in food that will present negligible risks to public health. “Since the identification of the problems in China, food safety authorities all around the world have been working to identify public health threshold levels for melamine,” Dr Geoff Allen, NZFSA (New Zealand... ...Read more »

Following the contamination of Chinese milk products with the chemical melamine, China has removed over 7,000 tonnes of dairy products (primarily powdered and liquid milk) from retail outlets and food standards bodies around the world are testing Chinese milk-based imports and issuing precautionary product recalls. Australian food safety authority FSANZ yesterday instigated a recall of White Rabbit candies after White Rabbit candies in New Zealand and Singapore were found to contain high levels... ...Read more »

Australian Food Regulators have commenced a formal request today to wholesalers and importers to voluntarily withdraw White Rabbit Brand Candies from shops pending further results of testing for melamine.Testing in New Zealand released late today has confirmed that this product contains sufficiently high levels of melamine which may, in some individuals, cause health problems such as kidney stones if consumed in high quantities over a long period. The product is sold in retail packs through Asian... ...Read more »

The number of infants sickened by tainted milk products has swelled to 53,000 according to the latest reports from the Chinese Government, with China’s Chief Quality Supervisor, Li Changjiang, stepping down in the wake of the scandal. Li is the highest ranking official brought down so far by the dairy product contamination scandal, according to the official news agency of the Chinese Government (Xinhua). Wu Xianguo, the Communist Party chief of Shijiazhuang City - where Sanlu Group, the first... ...Read more »