Kyrgzstan finds melamine in flour imported from China

By Tom Qian  |   2008-11-14  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

MELAMINE was found in flour imported from China, Kyrgzstan’s Ministry of Agriculture announced, according to a Website report today.

The ministry found the melamine-contaminated flour was imported via train on September 30. The ministry said it double checked 116 tons of flour after the industrial chemical was found in milk powder across China, according to a People.com.cn report.

A total of 804 tons of flour was found to contain melamine along with 10 types of grain worms, according to the report.

The report did not say how much melamine was in the flour. The chemical is used to raise protein readings even though it does not actually increase the protein content.

The ministry then sent flour samples to Russia for testing, where it was confirmed that melamine and other additives were in the flour imported from China.

Kyrgzstan officials said they couldn’t accept sub-standard flour and all food entering the country must have certificates to prove it meets international standards.

Previously melamine has been found in milk products, eggs and fish in China. Four babies died and tens of thousands of others were hospitalized after drinking melamine-tainted milk.