FDA to Test Imported Food for Melamine

April 2007

As pet food continues to be pulled from shelves across the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it will test the imported human food supply for possible contamination from the same chemicals that tainted the pet products.

The dangerous chemical, melamine, was first found earlier this year in wheat gluten used to produce a long list of foods for dogs and cats. It was discovered that a single Chinese distributor used the chemical in various products that were exported for use as ingredients in many international goods.

Now the FDA will test wheat gluten, corn gluten, cornmeal, rice bran, and rice protein used in both human and animal food. The action is a proactive step to catch any contamination before it affects public health.

A few select hog farms have been quarantined after finding traces of melamine on site. The FDA is currently conducting inspections at other hog farms and one poultry farm, placing some on hold for distribution.