UN Assists China With Contaminated Infant Formula Crisis

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The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is assisting Chinese authorities with the ongoing melamine-contaminated powdered food crisis. The crisis has caused more than 6,000 cases of kidney stones in infants and three deaths across the country.

Chinese health ministry officials have confirmed these cases are related to melamine-contaminated powdered formula consumed by the infants. WHO has taken action in disseminating information on the situation to its Member States through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (IFOSAN).

Melamine can cause kidney stones when consumed, potentially stop the production of urine, lead to kidney failure and in some cases death.

Investigations conducted by China’s national inspection agency, found 22 dairy manufacturers had melamine in a number of different brands of powdered infant formula, in one brand of a frozen yogurt dessert and in one brand of canned coffee drink.

WHO has stated that all these products were most probably manufactured using ingredients made from melamine-contaminated milk.

Two of the companies exported products to Bangladesh, Burundi, Myanmar, Gabon and Yemen, contamination in the distributed products remains unconfirmed. A recall has been issued from China and IFOSAN has specifically alerted the five countries importing the products.

WHO remains in close communication with the Chinese health ministry to monitor the situation and assist with information dissemination.