Codex Endorses Stricter Melamine Testing in Dairy

BRUSSELSThe Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) last week endorsed testing guidelines developed by the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for determining the melamine and cyanuric acid content of milk, milk products and infant formula.

The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) endorsed the guidelines that allow authorities to check the level of melamine in powdered infant formula against the recently adopted Codex maximum level of 1 mg melamine per kg of product. CCMAS is recommending final adoption of the method for final adoption by CAC in July 2011. The new guidelines are in response to the 2008 melamine scandal in China that brought into focus the need for a more systematic approach for checking eventual adulteration of suppliers milk through the implementation of integrated chain management principles.

These current recommended guidelines provide a robust means for regulatory authorities, manufacturers and producers to ensure the integrity and safety of tested milk and derivative products and help prevent further incidents" said Professor Árpád Ambrus, chair of the CCMAS.