Holy Chocolate cow! - Cadbury Chocolate recall (in Aust.) because of melamine levels

[Imzadi]

This is sickening, and I don't mean just physically. Luckily, the recall is not in the U.S., (only in Australia, Nauru and Christmas Island. ) But, look at the parts I highlighted. Unsatisfactory levels? Why is ANY melamine allowed?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/05/china.milk/index.html

'High level of melamine' in two Cadbury products

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Hong Kong authorities Sunday announced that two recalled candy products made by British confectioner Cadbury had high levels of melamine.

The industrial chemical has recently been found in Chinese-made milk products that have sickened nearly 53,000 children in China, killing four.

Countries around the world have since banned the import of Chinese products containing milk, or have withdrawn products that contain milk from China -- such as candy -- amid worries they contain melamine.

Last week, Cadbury recalled all of its Chinese-made candy products after preliminary tests showed they contained trace amounts of melamine.

Cadbury took the action because "no level of melamine is appropriate," spokesman Tony Bilsborough told CNN on Sunday.

He could not comment on the latest test results. The company stresses that its products manufactured at its Beijing plant are only exported to Taiwan and Hong Kong, with one product -- Cadbury Eclair -- sent to Australia, Nauru and Christmas Island.

Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety tested 104 samples of products made by a variety of manufacturers, including Cadbury, Nestle, and some U.S. and Chinese companies. Only two of the samples showed unsatisfactory levels of melamine -- Cadbury Dairy Milk Cookies Chocolate (bulk pack 5kg) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Chocolate (bulk pack 5kg).

The sample of the Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Chocolate contained melamine levels of 65 ppm (parts per million) which is more than 25 times the acceptable level of 2.5 ppm, according to Hong Kong's government.

According to the center, a child weighing 22 pounds (10kg) would have to eat more than 10 small pieces of the hazelnut chocolate to surpass the tolerable daily intake. An average adult weighing 132 pounds (60kg) would have to eat more than 112 small pieces to surpass the level.

The melamine levels in the samples of Dairy Milk Cookies Chocolate were 6.9 ppm -- more than twice as high as the legal limit of melamine.

Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety said it will continue to test dairy products and other products with dairy ingredients. Test results on other products -- including milk powder, soya drinks, yogurt, butter, baby food and frozen confections -- would be released on Monday, it said.

Chinese authorities have implicated 22 Chinese dairy companies in the tainted milk scandal.

Investigators suspect people watered down milk in an attempt to sell more of it, and added melamine in order to fool quality checks, Chinese authorities have said. The toxic chemical is used to bolster apparent protein levels in diluted or poor-quality milk.

On Saturday China announced that a test of 607 batches of liquid milk from 27 cities found the samples to be melamine-free, state-run media said.

The tests were the sixth Chinese officials have carried out since melamine was discovered in powdered infant formula last month.

Chinese authorities have promised to subsidize farmers hit by the shrinking demand for milk, the news agency Xinhua said.

Among them is the northern Hebei province, which has earmarked 316 million yuan ($46.1 million) for subsidies. That translates to giving a farmer 200 yuan ($29) per cow, Xinhua said.

Melamine is used to bolster apparent protein levels in diluted or poor-quality milk.


Chinese authorities have arrested 40 people in connection with the scandal, including two brothers who could face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities have implicated 22 Chinese dairy companies in the scandal. ​

All Hershey Products are Safe to Consume

http://www.thehersheycompany.com/news/release.asp?releaseID=1203420

The Hershey Company Has Never Purchased Milk from China
All Hershey Products are Safe to Consume


HERSHEY, Pa., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today issued a statement related to milk purchased from China:

Consumer safety and product quality are Hershey's top priorities. The Hershey Company has never purchased milk ingredients, including powered milk, from China. All Hershey products use the highest-quality ingredients and are safe to consume. This includes Cadbury products manufactured and distributed in the United States by The Hershey Company.

Consumers with any questions regarding this issue should call our Consumer Relations line at 1-800-468-1714.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly $5 billion and almost 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers. Hershey is the leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Hershey's Extra Dark and Cacao Reserve by Hershey's. Hershey's Ice Breakers franchise delivers refreshment across a variety of mint and gum flavors and formats. Hershey's partnership with Starbucks offers a premium chocolate experience that combines the highest-quality chocolate with Starbucks coffee-house flavors, for a range of delicious and distinct chocolate products. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate products, Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate gifts, and Dagoba, known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate bars. Visit us at www.hersheynewsroom.com.

SOURCE The Hershey Company
​

 

[S. C.]

 

[Carl]

The moral of this story is Don't Buy anything from China. Especially if you are an American business - don't buy ingredients from there.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I hope there won't be any cases such as this in the US. Halloween is right around the corner.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

This is sickening, and I don't mean just physically. Luckily, the recall is not in the U.S., (only in Australia, Nauru and Christmas Island. ) But, look at the parts I highlighted. Unsatisfactory levels? Why is ANY melamine allowed?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/05/china.milk/index.html





All Hershey Products are Safe to Consume

http://www.thehersheycompany.com/news/release.asp?releaseID=1203420

My DH and I were talking about this a couple of weeks ago. This is a very scary incident. US may not be in the recalls at this time, but maybe in a couple of weeks. I just remember the dog food fiasco and how the recalls became bigger and bigger.

We called Nestle and they told us they don't buy any milk from China so the Nestle products should be safe to use.

It is sad when you wonder if the food you eat is safe.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

The moral of this story is Don't Buy anything from China. Especially if you are an American business - don't buy ingredients from there.

As a family we try not to buy anything from China, but it is extremely hard to do.

 

[HelenePA]

All the more reason to eat Hershey candy I never liked Cadbury chocolate and my grandfather worked for them for 25 years.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

The moral of this story is Don't Buy anything from China. Especially if you are an American business - don't buy ingredients from there.

Exactly


I'm shocked that our food is/can be made in another country. The only food items I want from another country are fine wines and cheeses