Lipton Milk Tea Tainted With Melamine

As the extent of the melamine contamination becomes known, CNN today reports that Unilever withdrew Lipton Milk Tea from its Hong Kong markets. Melamine can lead to sevral health problems. Kidney stones, urinary tract ulcers, eye and skin irritation are common.

Also Read: Manufacturing giant recalls melamine tainted tea

FDA Updates Advisory on Melamine Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued an update alert on the melamine contamination crisis impacting consumers globally. Seven Mr. Brown instant coffee, milk, and tea products have been recalled by, King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd. This is a Taiwanese company that has recognised that their products may be contamination with melamine.


This companies non-dairy creamer manufactured by Shandong Duqing Inc., China, has already been found to contain melamine. The FDA has advised against consuming the recalled products below and has asked retailers and commercial foodservice operators to remove them from their service and shelves:

Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

A report issued by the FDA noted that the agency is currently collaborating with food regulatory agencies globally to contain this crisis.

In the meanwhile, New Zealand Food Safety Authority reported finding a high level of melamine contamination in White Rabbit Creamy Candies. Citing this report, the FDA has advised that consumers not eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy. The UK supermarket TESCO has already pulled this candy from its helves as a precaution. The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety also issued an alert on the candy after it tested positive for melamine in their laboratories, with more than six times the legal limit for the chemical. Australia has issued a recall and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore issued a similar advisory.
For further information, read: The Guardian and FDA.
Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

Listeriosis Outbreak in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has linked a deadly listeriosis outbreak to a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto. Products include ready to eat deli meant under brand names of Schneiders, ML Sure Slice, Deli Gourmet, Burns. For a complete list, refer: CFIA Recall Alert.

Maple Leaf Foods had already issued a voluntary recall of the suspected products and closed its Bartor Road plant in Toronto after its meat products tested positive for the bacteria. Maple Leaf Foods has also widened the recall of the affected foods.

Canada's Public Health Agency has reported four deaths from this strain of listeriosis linked to the meat plant. A further 21 people are confirmed as displaying symptoms of this bacterium. Another 30 cases are now under investigation.

About Listeriosis:
Listeriosis symptoms can occur even 70 days after contaminated food has been consumed. The Health Agency thus expects the number of confirmed and suspected cases to rise in the coming days. This foodborne illness is most serious among the elderly, pregnant women and people with depressed immune systems. The bacterium is typically found in herd animals, meats, unpasteurized milk and unprocessed cheese products. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea. The infection can spread to the nervous system and cause headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and even convulsions. Treatment usually includes a course of antibiotics.