Why Melamine In Food?

Unfortunately China has a history of problems with goods laden with unwanted chemicals.

The most recent problem was with baby’s milk that was laced with melamine, and four infants died and at least 53,000 were reportedly ill after ingesting milk powder contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine.

It is becoming apparent that contaminated baby formula is not the only problem. Melamine in food is becoming a problem and milk, ice cream, yoghurt, confectionery such as chocolates, biscuits and sweets, as well as any foods containing milk from China have been banned by certain countries.

The primary use of melamine is in the production of plastics so why would it be added to any foods whether for human or animal consumption?

As always the answer is for monetary gain.Protein levels in food are determined by nitrogen content, and adding melamine in food will increase the nitrogen content.

The product will therefore look as if it has higher protein levels than it does, and will be more desirable.

The cost of melamine is relatively high so we could guess that the melamine may have come from a source that is contaminated with other toxic compounds that end up in your food.

We have also had cases of hundreds of dogs dying in South Africa from kidney and renal failure in 2007 after ingesting dog food that was contaminated with melamine.

It is also a known fact that China has dumped large quantities of cheap and sometimes contaminated honey on unsuspecting countries. This is known as “honey laundering” because the honey is basically brought in to a specific country under false pretenses.

Often the authorities or manufacturers will make the statement that the offending additive is under the limits prescribed by law.

My question is this. Who are they to decide that an additive that benefits no one but the manufacturers should be added to our food in any amount?

My advice is to find out as much as you can by reading about additives in food and buying as much organically grown food as possible.