Imported food products from China

(updated 29 September 2008)

Following the withdrawal on 24 September of White Rabbit Brand Candies, Australian Food Regulators are testing other products from China containing dairy as a minor ingredient.  Test results to date have not detected the presence of melamine .

Chinese health officials recently advised that traces of a chemical contaminant, melamine, have been found recently in a baby formula product and, later, in other dairy products.

Melamine is a by-product of the plastics industry.  The contaminated milk powder may be linked to kidney stones found in Chinese infants and a number of infant deaths.  

Australiadoes not import infant formula products from China due to quarantine restrictions.  This has been confirmed by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).  

AQIS has also confirmed that Australia has not imported milk products containing greater than 10% dairy from China this year. Products containing more than 10% dairy ingredients must have an import permit before they can enter Australia and import permits are generally not granted to countries with Foot and Mouth Disease.   The last dairy product imported from China was a condensed milk product in April 2007.

Infant formula products in Australia are produced under strict standards to ensure their safety and nutritional value.

In the case that infant formula products have been brought into Australia directly by consumers (e.g. purchased when travelling and brought back for personal use), caregivers are advised not to feed infant formula manufactured in China to infants.  

FSANZ is coordinating action by State and Territory food agencies, including precautionary testing of products with small amounts of dairy ingredients (less than 10%), for melamine such as White Rabbit candies.  

Australian authorities will continue to monitor the situation in China closely.