Codex Serves Up A Hearty Helping of Melamine!

The Author Points Out:

Unfortunately, logic has never been a strong suit for the Codex Commission and this instance is no exception.

Despite the fact that melamine contaminated infant formula has killed at least four babies, and hospitalized over 54,000 others, they've decided that "non-intentional" melamine contamination will be allowed in food up to 1.0 parts per million (ppm) for infant formulas and 2.5 ppm for adults.

A very basic problem here is the fact that it's unlikely for most melamine contamination to be "un-intentional" or "unavoidable." It has already been determined that food contamination with this substance is in most cases intentional, as it artificially inflates protein content.

Making matters even worse, the Codex Commission also agreed on certain exemptions under which even the higher 2.5 ppm level may be exceeded. Those three exemptions include melamine contamination from:

• The application of cyromazine as a pesticide/herbicide
• The migration of melamine from dinnerware and food containers
• Certain food additives and ingredients

The last one, in particular, sounds like the type of exemption a Mack truck full of melamine could drive through.

I agree with Mr.Tips of the National Health Federation who stated:

"It is truly bizarre that Codex delegates will trip all over themselves in their rush to establish low maximum acceptable levels for healthy vitamins and minerals, but when it comes to a true industrial contaminant, extremely harmful to health, they look the other way."