Small Amounts of Melamine in US Infant Formula

The Associated Press (story By MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD) is reporting that the FDA has found trace amounts of melamine in infant formula sold in the US. The article states that three firms manufacture more than 90 percent of the infant formula produced in the United States (Abbott Laboratories, Nestle and Mead Johnson) and goes on to say the results of the testing:

- "Mead Johnson's Infant Formula Powder, Enfamil LIPIL with Iron. An FDA spreadsheet shows two tests were conducted on the Enfamil, with readings of 0.137 and 0.14 parts per million.
- Three tests of Nestle's Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron detected an average of 0.247 parts per million of cyanuric acid, a melamine byproduct.
- FDA said tests of 18 samples of formula made by Abbott Laboratories, including its Similac brand, did not detect melamine, spokesman Colin McBean said some company tests did find the chemical. He did not identify the specific product or the number of positive tests.

The article points out a contradiction, raising more concerns for families nationwide:

Sundlof told the AP the positive test results "so far are in the trace range, and from a public health or infant health perspective, we consider those to be perfectly fine." That's different from the impression of zero tolerance the agency left on Oct. 3, when it stated: "FDA is currently unable to establish any level of melamine and melamine-related compounds in infant formula that does not raise public health concerns."

Families need to call the manufacturer if they have any questions arising from the use of these products. They can also contact the FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). Report any health problems to your health provider and I would suggest contacting the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).