Nestlé dairy products safe for consumption - govt, Nestlé

Last week, Nestlé issued a statement saying that the Department of Health had asked the company to conduct a compliance trade withdrawal of a batch of Lactogen 1 as well as a batch of Nido 1 in which they had detected traces of melamine.

The Lactogen 1 batch code is 82050179L1 250g and 900g and it was manufactured in South Africa in July 2008. The Nido 1 batch code is 81790181SO2E1M 900g and it was manufactured in June 2008.

Lower than level of concern

In the absence of any specific legislation for melamine in food in South Africa, the traces of melamine detected were more than 10 times lower than the WHO guidance level of health concern.

In a joint statement on Monday, the department and Nestlé explained that the limited number of products that were found to contain traces of melamine have since been recalled.

“The presence of melamine in the products was not a result of any intention on the part of the manufacturer to either enhance the quantities or deliberately compromise the quality of the product,” the statement said.

The department and Nestlé said they would continue to collaborate on food issues in the interest of the South African consumers especially infants and babies.

Voluntary recall

In March, Nestlé voluntarily recalled 250 of its its Lactogen 1 baby formula tins from stores in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia due to the possibility of it containing levels of trace elements of iron copper and zinc higher that declared on the label.

Once reconstituted, the affected product may have changed colour, had a rancid smell and taste and in some instances separated.

The recall was limited to the lactogen 1 400g tins with the batch code of 73100179 L1.

Independent checks

In October, Nestlé announced that separate independent tests by the National Consumer Forum on local and Chinese products had found traces of melamine in a 750g tin of Nestlé's Gold Cross Sweetened Condensed Milk.

However, the condensed milk contained 0.5 parts per million (ppm) of melamine, which fell within the safe level of international countries at 2.5 ppm, or 2.5 milligrams in every kilogram of foodstuff.

Theo Mxakwe, Director of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs said at the time that the company had noted the forum's findings, following tests on 19 products but that they were confident that none of its products is manufactured from milk adulterated with melamine.

In China earlier this year, four children died and 53 000 took ill after consuming milk products laced with melamine.

The South African government called for the detainment of milk products of Chinese origin that may contain milk or dairy products until the department is able to run tests on certain products.

Stringent testing introduced

At the same time, Nestlé took total control over its milk supply chain in South Africa. Systematic melamine testing for all raw milk purchased in South Africa was immediately introduced and every batch of dairy products is now tested for melamine prior to release from the factory.

However, testing led to the discovery of melamine in a number of samples of cattle feed which is predominantly used in winter. Consequently, Nestlé took steps to ensure that the cattle feed used by its South African milk producers is melamine free.

Melamine is a contaminant which is widely present in the food and feed chain. This can contribute to the presence of low levels in food products which do not pose a health risk.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews