Melamine Found in Korean Snack
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
Unacceptably high levels of melamine-tainted milk from China have been found in a Korean snack, the nation's food safety regulator said Wednesday. This is the first time the toxic, possibly fatal compound has been discovered in a local product.
Tests conducted by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) found 137 parts per million (ppm) of melamine in a confectionary snack ``Misarang Custard'' distributed by Haitai, the country's second largest snack maker and distributor. The KFDA said Haitai has managed to recall 95 percent of the OEM-produced product, which was imported from a Chinese firm in July.
Melamine is generally used in the production of fertilizers and plastics, but has recently been at the center of a widespread Chinese food scandal, as some dairy plants there have added the chemical to milk products to simulate a boost in protein levels.
At least 12 countries, including Singapore, Taiwan, Kenya, Bangladesh and Japan have imposed a complete or partial import ban on milk or dairy products from China on health concerns. Since the scandal broke two weeks ago, four Chinese babies have died and thousands sickened.
A Haitai official said the company wasn't able to assess exactly how much of the contaminated product had been sold as of Wednesday.
The KFDA said details of the investigation will be announced today.
In addition to the Haitai product, authorities found 7 ppm of melamine in ``Milk Rusk,'' a snack imported from Hong Kong.