The 2008 China melamine scandal in which the discovery of milk powder adulterated with melamine led to a global recall of Chinese infant milk formula, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, and other milk-based products is resurfacing. This month, the China
Daily reports that melamine-contaminated milk-based products from three companies have been removed from shelves in the
Guizhou province.

In the 2008 contamination scandal, 6 infants died, over 300,000 people got sick, and executives from two companies responsible for the contaminated products were executed. Melamine, used in the manufacturing of plastics and fertilizer, is added to milk products to artificially inflate the protein content as determined by the commonly used protein assays. Cyanuric acid and melamine are structurally similar and often occur in solution together forming an insoluble compound which promotes the formation of crystals in the kidneys (urolithiasis) leading to the formation of kidney stones.

Dionex has several solutions for the analysis of melamine described in this information bulletin. 

To view the Dionex Information Bulletn please click here