FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination
----- Original Message -----
From: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)<mailto:fda@...>
To: hpotash@...<mailto:hpotash@...>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 12:05 PM
Subject: FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination




FDA Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement
September 26, 2008
Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-827-0955
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA



FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers that seven Mr.
Brown instant coffee and milk tea products manufactured in China are being
recalled by the King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd. due to possible contamination
with melamine. The products, manufactured by China's Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

a.. Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
b.. Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
c.. Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
d.. Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
e.. Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
f.. Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
g.. Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)
The FDA recommends that consumers not consume any of the above Mr. Brown instant
coffee and milk tea products. The FDA also recommends that retailers and
foodservice operators remove the products from sale or service.

As of September 25, 2008, the FDA testing of milk based products imported into
the United States from China has not found melamine contamination.

The FDA is working with regulatory agencies in other countries. The New Zealand
Food Safety Authority reports that its testing of White Rabbit Creamy Candies
has shown melamine contamination at high levels. In light of the widespread
contamination of milk and milk-based products in China and the New Zealand Food
Safety Authority's finding, the FDA recommends that consumers not eat White
Rabbit Creamy Candy and that retailers and foodservice operations remove the
product from sale or service.
To date, the FDA is not aware of any illnesses in the United States stemming
from consumption of either White Rabbit Creamy Candy or the Mr. Brown instant
coffee and milk tea products.

Individuals who have experienced any health problems after consuming either
White Rabbit Creamy Candy or any of the identified Mr. Brown coffee and tea
products are advised to contact their health care professional.

Background
On September 12, 2008, in light of reports from China of melamine contaminated
infant formula, the FDA issued a Health Information Advisory to assure the
American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula
manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products
in the United States. That advisory also warned members of Chinese communities
in the United States that infant formula manufactured in China, possibly
available for purchase at Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants.

The FDA had contacted the companies who manufacture infant formula for
distribution in the United States and received, from the companies, information
that they are not importing formula or sourcing milk-based materials from China.

At the same time, the FDA-in conjunction with state and local officials-began a
nation-wide investigation to check Asian markets for Chinese manufactured infant
formula that may have been brought into the United States. In particular, this
effort focused on areas of the country with large Chinese communities, such as
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and New York. To date, investigators have
visited more than 1,400 retail markets and have not found Chinese infant formula
present on shelves in these markets.

The FDA also advises consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in
China from Internet sites or from other sources.

The FDA has taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to help ensure
the safety of the American food supply. In conjunction with state and local
officials, the FDA will continue to check Asian markets for food items that are
imported from China and that could contain a significant amount of milk or milk
proteins. In addition, the FDA has broadened its domestic and import sampling
and testing of milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing
milk, such as candies, desserts, and beverages that could contain these
ingredients from Chinese sources. Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk
powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein.

In addition to state and local governments, the FDA is working in close
cooperation with Customs and Border Protection within the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies,
and foreign governments.

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