New ISO Testing Standard Prevents Melamine in Milk

GENEVAThe International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have developed a new test standard to determine the content of melamine and cyanuric acid in liquid milk, powdered milk products and infant formula to prevent future adulterated milk products from entering the market.

The new standard is 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.

The new technical specification( TS)/reviewed method (RM): ISO/TS 15495 | IDF/RM 230:2010, Milk, milk products and infant formulae Guidelines for the quantitative determination of melamine and cyanuric acid by LC-MS/MSprovides guidance on sampling, test procedures, performance and examples.

This much awaited document will help strengthen consumer confidence in the milk industry," said IDF President Richard Doyle. It will ensure the integrity and safety of tested milk and derivative products, and producers, manufacturers and regulatory authorities can use it to prevent further incidents."

Although currently published as a TS/RM, the document is expected to become a fully fledged International Standard in the future. The TS will be useful for dairy producers and suppliers, milk product and infant formula manufacturers, regulatory and testing authorities, equipment suppliers, and the food industry in general.