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Small amounts of melamine have been detected in some U.S.-made infant formulas, but the FDA says the products pose no risk, the Associated Press reports.
An agency official told the AP that levels “are in the trace range, and from a public health or infant health perspective, we consider those to be perfectly fine.” He advised that babies’ diets not be changed.
In October, however, following detection of high levels of melamine in formula from China, the FDA said it “couldn’t set an acceptable level of melamine exposure in infant formula,” the AP reports.
The agency, testing 77 products, found trace amounts of the chemical in one — Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron (Nestle). Melamine’s byproduct, cyanuric acid, was found in another — Enfamil LIPIL with Iron (Mead Johnson). In addition, a spokesperson for a third manufacturer (Abbott Laboratories) says some company tests have found melamine.
The low levels detected are believed to be byproducts of manufacturing. The chemical, found in a cleaner used on some food-processing equipment, can seep into products during preparation. It’s also found in some plastic food packaging.
Comment
In response to concerns about kidney disease from melamine-contaminated powdered infant milk, an advisory group from the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology developed a useful overview with recommendations and diagnostic criteria for evaluating children with suspected melamine exposure. The statement can be found at http://www.aspneph.com/.