June 26, 2007

US company to expand melamine testing services in China

NSF International, a US testing company, is offering a new testing service for suppliers in the food industry to detect the presence of melamine, an industrial chemical used in plastics that was said to have killed dozens of pets in the US, when it was used in pet food.

The company has recently added an accredited testing laboratory in Shanghai.

Melamine was added to wheat gluten and rice protein exported from China to increase protein levels in animal feeds and was said to have caused the deaths of dozens of pets in the US and resulted in recalls of pet and fears of animal feed contamination. China has since banned its exporters from using the chemical as an additive in feeds.

NSF, an independent testing laboratory, has since expanded its melamine capability.

The melamine contamination case has generated an increased demand from pet food manufacturers seeking accredited laboratories that test for melamine presence.

NSF's laboratory in Shanghai would conduct the testing and local auditors would inspect the facilities to screen for melamine and other toxins. This process will ensure that products and raw materials exported overseas can be evaluated prior to being exported.

As the responsibility lies with the processors to ensure that all ingredients used in their products are safe, NSF aims to help these companies fulfill the commitment while also protecting the public, said Tom Chestnut, vice president, NSF Supply Chain Food Safety and Quality Programmes.

NSF's melamine testing capabilities include laboratory analysis of processed foods, animal feeds, wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate, and corn gluten. NSF uses FDA analytical methods for melamine testing, screening and quantitative analysis using chromatographic techniques, including analysis using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).