Melamine and cyanuric acid in milk powder

Introduction

Milk powder is a common food product found on grocery store shelves, and consumers rightfully demand transparency and safety in their food choices. In this blog post, we will explore the crucial aspects of melamine and cyanuric acid contamination in milk powder, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive food testing, microbiological analysis, and clear food labels to protect consumers' health and well-being. Food safety is paramount when it comes to milk powder, with rigorous food testing, including melamine and cyanuric acid testing, and microbiological analysis playing a vital role in ensuring that products meet quality standards and do not contain harmful contaminants. Clear and accurate food labels, including allergen information, are your first line of defence when it comes to making informed food choices, especially for individuals with allergies or dietary restrictions. In many countries, including India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) approves food testing labs, ensuring that your milk powder undergoes thorough testing for contaminants and adheres to safety standards.

What is Melamine?

Melamine is a white crystalline compound that is commonly used in the production of plastics, adhesives, and coatings. It has also been illegally added to dairy products to artificially inflate their protein content, making them appear of higher quality.

How Does Melamine End Up in Milk Powder?

Melamine can find its way into milk powder through various avenues, including contaminated feed given to dairy animals, the use of melamine-laden utensils during processing, and even deliberate adulteration by unscrupulous individuals. When ingested in large quantities, melamine can lead to health issues, including kidney damage and bladder stones.

What is Cyanuric Acid?

Cyanuric acid is a chemical compound that is often used in pool maintenance as a stabilizer for chlorine. It can also be present in fertilizers and some industrial processes.

How Does Cyanuric Acid End Up in Milk Powder?

Cyanuric acid may enter milk powder through cross-contamination during processing or packaging, particularly if equipment was not thoroughly cleaned between uses. While cyanuric acid itself is not as toxic as melamine, it can combine with melamine to form insoluble crystals in the urinary tract, potentially causing kidney problems when consumed.

The Health Risks

The presence of melamine and cyanuric acid in milk powder raises concerns due to their potential health risks. Kidney damage, kidney stones, and other renal issues are among the most significant health concerns associated with the ingestion of these compounds.

Importance of testing

Testing for melamine and cyanuric acid in milk powder is of paramount importance for several reasons, all of which revolve around safeguarding public health and ensuring the quality and safety of dairy products. Here are the key reasons why testing for these substances in milk powder is crucial:

Market overview

"The milk powder market witnessed a valuation of USD 35,810.94 million in 2022 and is anticipated to exhibit a steady growth trajectory with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.45% during the forecast period, ultimately reaching a market size of USD 49,230.91 million by the year 2028."

Standards and regulations

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets the standards for residual solvents in food. The FDA has classified residual solvents into two categories: Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 solvents are considered to be the most toxic and are not allowed to be used in food processing. Class 2 solvents are less toxic, but they are still regulated, and their levels in food must be below certain limits. The FDA also publishes a list of acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for residual solvents in food. The ADI is the maximum amount of a solvent that a person can consume every day without experiencing any adverse health effects. The ADIs for residual solvents in food are typically set very low, well below the levels that could cause any harm.

The FSSAI regularly monitors food and pharmaceutical products for the presence of residual solvents. If any product is found to contain residual solvents above the permitted limits, the FSSAI can take action against the manufacturer or seller of the product. Here are some of the key standards and regulations for residual solvents in India

• The FSSAI has published a list of permitted residual solvents in food, along with the maximum permissible limits for each solvent.
• Class 1 solvents are not allowed to be used in food processing.
• Class 2 solvents are less toxic, but their levels in food must be below certain limits.
• Class 3 solvents are the least toxic and have no specific limits.
  
  

Testing methods

Testing methods for residual solvents are crucial in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food production, and chemical manufacturing, to ensure product safety and quality. Several analytical techniques are commonly employed to detect and quantify residual solvents accurately. Here are some of the primary testing methods:

Eurofins role in testing Melamine and cyanuric acid in milk powder

Eurofins is a global company that provides a wide range of testing and laboratory services, including food safety testing. Melamine and cyanuric acid are two substances that have been of concern in the context of food safety, especially in relation to dairy products like milk powder. Here's how Eurofins might play a role in testing these substances in milk powder:

Method Development: Eurofins may develop and validate testing methods for the detection of melamine and cyanuric acid in milk powder. This involves establishing reliable and accurate procedures for identifying and quantifying these substances.

Routine Testing: Eurofins can perform routine testing on samples of milk powder to check for the presence of melamine and cyanuric acid. These tests typically use techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or other analytical methods to detect and quantify these substances.

Regulatory Compliance: Eurofins' testing services may help food producers and distributors ensure compliance with food safety regulations and standards. Testing for melamine and cyanuric acid is important because these compounds can be harmful when present in excessive amounts in dairy products.

Quality Control: Eurofins can support quality control efforts by identifying any contamination issues in milk powder, allowing producers to take corrective actions if needed.

Risk Assessment: Eurofins might also provide risk assessment services, helping stakeholders evaluate the potential health risks associated with melamine and cyanuric acid in milk powder.

Research and Development: Eurofins may engage in ongoing research and development to improve testing methods and equipment for detecting melamine and cyanuric acid, staying at the forefront of food safety technology.

US FDA LAAF Recognition

Eurofins Analytical Services India, based in Bangalore, has received recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. This achievement makes Eurofins the first laboratory in Asia to receive this recognition. The LAAF program ensures the safety and quality of food in the United States by accrediting laboratories that perform testing of foods regulated by the FDA.

References

1. Sun, P., Wang, J., Shen, J., & Wei, H. (2011). Residues of melamine and cyanuric acid in milk and tissues of dairy cows fed different doses of melamine. Journal of Dairy Science, 94(7), 3575-3582. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-4018
2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2023-global-milk-powder-market-size-leading-players#
3. Pan, X., Wu, P., Yang, D., Wang, L., Shen, X., & Zhu, C. (2013). Simultaneous determination of melamine and cyanuric acid in dairy products by mixed-mode solid phase extraction and GC–MS. Food Control, 30(2), 545-548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.06.045

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