Published: October 09, 2008 02:59 pm            

Agriculture department finds melamine in candy

Submitted by the Department of Agriculture



Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is asking Georgians to double-check their cupboards to make sure they do not have any of the White Rabbit candy that was recalled for melamine contamination.

Irvin’s request comes after the Georgia Department of Agriculture found two samples of the candy with significant amounts of melamine.

“We pulled samples of the candy prior to the recall so we went ahead and ran laboratory tests. We have been running tests and will continue to run tests to look for melamine in a variety of products,” said Irvin.

“There have been so many recalls of products from overseas, that I fear consumers may begin to tune them out. These lab test results are a reminder that this is not an idle possibility of contamination, but actual contaminated products that consumers must beware of,” said Irvin.

“Our sanitarians have been checking retail and wholesale food establishments for the recalled products,” said Irvin. “We have done tracebacks through distributors to identify where the products are sold. We have notified other states when records indicated any of the products were sold outside of Georgia.”



The two samples that tested positive for melamine were:

“White Rabbit Creamy Candies,” 8 oz., code 3100.15077C080421 06, “Best Before Feb. 20, 2010” and

“White Rabbit Creamy Candies,” 16 oz., code 3100.15077C080504 05, “Best Before Feb. 20, 2010”



The 8-ounce package contained 15.6 parts per million (ppm). The 16-ounce package contained nine ppm.

Melamine has a number of industrial uses, including as a flame retardant and as part of a polymer in the manufacture of plastic resins and other products. It is not supposed to be added to any food ingredients, but unscrupulous suppliers in China sometimes mix it in to make food appear to be high in protein. Melamine is nitrogen rich, and standard tests for protein in bulk food ingredients measure levels of nitrogen. Melamine is the same chemical responsible for the massive pet food recall last year and current problems with some infant formula in China.

All White Rabbit Candy was recalled last week. The recalled White Rabbit Creamy Candy is sold in eight-ounce or 16-ounce packages. All other flavors of White Rabbit Candy, including assorted (chocolate, coconut and coffee), Red Bean, Coffee, Corn, Lychee, Mango and Strawberry, are sold in seven-ounce packages. All packaging has a white rabbit logo on the front with the words "White Rabbit.”

The recalled candy, manufactured by QFCO Inc., Burlingame, Calif., was distributed in numerous states.

Consumers who have purchased White Rabbit Candy are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (650) 697-6633.

        

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