Pizza Hut Taiwan Finds Melamine in Cheese Packets

Here we go again...Pizza Hut Taiwan cheese packets tested positive for melamine and have been recalled. Tests reading showed 28 times higher than legal limits allow in Taiwan. This time the cheese power came from New Zealand.

Trendaz.com reports that Fonterra Brands Pte Ltd and Persnam Corp. supplies Pizza Hut with the cheese packets. Interestingly Fonterra owns 43% of China's Sanlu Group which produced the baby formula recently recalled, responsible for thousands of sick infants and toddlers. Persnam, the other supplier to Pizza Hut, uses ingredients sourced from Malaysia; they are waiting for "safety information" from the company. There is no word if Pizza Huts outside Taiwan are affected. http://news.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1304899&lang=EN

The FDA also just released (9/26/08) that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products - manufactured in China - are being recalled due to possible melamine contamination. This alert and recall is for the U.S. Here is the link to the FDA recall: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01891.html

Considering that only 1% of imports entering the U.S. is inspected by the FDA, consumers really have to wonder how many Chinese or Malaysian imported ingredients or products are contaminated with melamine right now; never the less how many more are being brought into the country as you read this. I guess we'll find out when/if there is a huge rise in kidney stones (and related illnesses). Makes you wonder if the Center for Disease Control is keeping track of kidney disease in recent years.

Country of origin information needs to be established for every product, every ingredient in every product - yesterday! People food, baby food, and/or pet food - consumers deserve to know. This is going to take some time, but your family's health is at risk - call the manufacturer of every product you consume and ask if any ingredient in that product originates in Asia. Until a country of origin information system is established, and until China and similar countries get their act together, you will have to decide if the risk of imported ingredients is worth it. I'm getting on the phone right now.

Wishing you and your pet the best,

Susan Thixton