Industry Eases Customer Concerns over Melamine Scare

Ingredients companies and food manufacturers in the U.S. are taking pro-active measures to reassure customers of the safety of their products amid the melamine contamination scare, which has now spread to certain tea and coffee products.

DD Williamson has issued a statement to assure clients that its colorings pose no risk for contamination with melamine, an industrial chemical that was recently found in infant formula in China and has been linked to the deaths of four children.

A spokesman for DD Williamson told FoodNavigator-USA.com: “Food and beverage processors in North America are asking their ingredient suppliers about melamine, so we're simply trying to be proactive in our response.”

The company said that for food products in which higher protein content is desirable, melamine is illegally used to artificially inflate the appearance of protein with potential health consequences to the end consumer.

The statement said: “The recent instances of melamine contamination have been to enhance the apparent levels of protein in food products. In no way does protein content impact the manufacturing process for DDW food colorings, nor do they enhance any attributes of the finished colorings.

“Additionally, colorings contribute negligible nutritional value to the products in which they are used.”

Meanwhile, Unilever said today that it had recalled four batches of its Lipton Milk Tea powder in Hong Kong as a precaution, after some traces of melamine were found. A Unilever spokesman said it did not affect any other country or any other products.

Source: FoodNavigator-USA.com