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#1
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
This is a pretty good hypothesis that I found interesting..
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/9/171352/6715 "Wheat gluten and melamine really don't go together. For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." "I do have a theory. There is one common thread between wheat gluten and melamine: Water. Wheat gluten production uses a lot of water. After the wheat kernel is broken up in the dry mill, a water wash separates the insoluble wheat gluten from the soluble wheat starch. Then the globs of wheat gluten are screened off and go through a drying process. Any insolubles in the water could be concentrated in the gluten. The melamine production process happens to produce a lot of melamine- laced effluent water. Melamine has low solubility in water, biodegrades poorly, and tends to hang around in the environment. For the purposes of my theory, it is highly advantageous that upriver of Binzhou is the Shandong Mingshui Great Chemical Group, whose urea plant--one of China's ancient, 1958 vintage demonstration plants-- also produces melamine" |
#2
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer PlantIn China?
On Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:13:15 -0700, James wrote:
This is a pretty good hypothesis that I found interesting.. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/9/171352/6715 "Wheat gluten and melamine really don't go together. For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." This guy may or may not know what he's talking about, but the New York Times is running a story that says Chinese companies often use melamine to bolster the protein count in animal feed. Apparently they buy "melamine scrap," left over from the production run. http://tinyurl.com/3xmw8b Charlie |
#3
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
On Apr 30, 1:06 am, Charlie Wilkes
wrote: On Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:13:15 -0700, James wrote: This is a pretty good hypothesis that I found interesting.. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/9/171352/6715 "Wheat gluten and melamine really don't go together. For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." This guy may or may not know what he's talking about, but the New York Times is running a story that says Chinese companies often use melamine to bolster the protein count in animal feed. Apparently they buy "melamine scrap," left over from the production run. http://tinyurl.com/3xmw8b Charlie This actually makes me angry. It wouldn't surprise me if little greedy stunts like this didn't cause aids and piareah |
#4
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
On Apr 30, 1:06 am, Charlie Wilkes
wrote: On Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:13:15 -0700, James wrote: This is a pretty good hypothesis that I found interesting.. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/9/171352/6715 "Wheat gluten and melamine really don't go together. For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." This guy may or may not know what he's talking about, but the New York Times is running a story that says Chinese companies often use melamine to bolster the protein count in animal feed. Apparently they buy "melamine scrap," left over from the production run. I am not sure the NYTimes writers know what they are writing. People who drink tea from tea bags regularly probably injest mealmine which is approved by the FDA as indirect food additive. Melamine resin is added to prevent the teabag from distingrating from the hot water. http://tinyurl.com/3xmw8b Charlie |
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
On Apr 30, 12:17 pm, PaPaPeng wrote:
On 29 Apr 2007 19:13:15 -0700, James wrote: For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." The China gluten exporter doesn't make the stuff himself and get his gluten supply from sub contractors. These sub contractors are hundreds of small businesses who would not have the chemistry knowledge to spike their false protein content for lab tests. I don't think there is any lab food testing of gluten in China before they are exported. If there is no testing what is the point of spending money and effort to spike the product since there is no profit in doing so. Gluten itself is a low value product which is why it is used for pet food (up to 50% content). The American and Canadian buyers don't test for protein content either which is why everyone is mystified where the melamine came from. Gluten is a natural food product and the content proportions all come within a very narrow band. Just as you cannot make meat "meatier" you cannot make gluten "protein-ier" as any test results out of the narrow band of figures will be obvious instantly and therefore suspect. To balance the proportions to within normal requires chemistry knowledge, skills and equipment Chinese gluten producers do not have. In any case to raise the protein rating something else has to go down such as adding more flour. Again what is the point? Tests for carbohydrates and sugars will then also spike as send out alarms. If you read the reports carefully the link with melanine and the link to China is speculation not a fact. The China link does serve as a useful distraction away from the pet food manufacturers and gives the FDA time to investigate. ================================================== ======= Go to Wikipedia to get more data about melamine.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine Melamine is an organic base with the chemical formula C3H6N6, with the IUPAC name 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine. It is only slightly soluble in water. (PPP: A simple test will then be to stir up the pet food in water then see what floats up.] Melamine is a trimer of cyanamide. Like cyanamide, it is 66% nitrogen (by mass) and provides fire retardant properties to resin formulas by releasing nitrogen when burned or charred. Dicyandiamide (or cyanoguanidine), the dimer of cyanamide, is also used as a fire retardant Melamine is a metabolite of cyromazine, a pesticide. It is formed in the body of mammals who have ingested cyromazine.[2] It was also reported that cyromazine is converted to melamine in plants.[3][4] [edit] Synthesis Melamine is produced from urea, mainly by either of two methods: catalyzed gas-phase production or high pressure liquid-phase production. Melamine is produced from the heating of dicyanodiamide, which is prepared from the polymerization of cyanamide[citation needed]. Melamine production in China has also been reported as using coal as raw material.[5] [edit] Uses Melamine is used combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic, and of melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, fabrics, glues and flame retardants. Melamine is one of major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics. Melamine is also used to make fertilizers. [edit] Regulation The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a test method for analyzing cyromazine and melamine in animal tissues in its Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook which "contains test methods used by FSIS Laboratories to support the Agency's inspection program, ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled."[6][7] In 1999, in a proposed rule published in the Federal Register regarding cyromazine residue, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed "remov[ing] melamine, a metabolite of cyromazine from the tolerance expression since it is no longer considered a residue of concern."[8] [edit] Toxicity Animal studies have shown that ingestion of melamine may lead to kidney stones, cancer or reproductive damage.[9][10][11][12] This section is related to a current event. For the main article on the event, see 2007 pet food crisis. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. In 2007 a pet food recall was initiated by Menu Foods and other pet food manufacturers who had found their products had been contaminated and caused serious illnesses or deaths in some of the animals that had eaten them[13][14][15]. On 30 March 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration reported finding white granular melamine in the pet food, in samples of white granular wheat gluten imported from a single source in China, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology [16] as well as in crystalline form in the kidneys and in urine of affected animals[17]. The practice of adding melamine scrap to animal feed is reported to be widespread in China in order to give the appearance of increased protein content in animal feed.[5] The presence of melamine has not been conclusively linked to the deaths of animals, as this chemical was previously thought to be relatively non-toxic at low doses. The FDA has blocked importation of wheat gluten from the Chinese supplier (Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology), pending completion of its investigation. On April 24, 2007, the FDA announced it will expand its investigation to test for ingredients imported for human consumption, including wheat gluten, corn gluten, cornmeal, rice bran and rice protein[18] Melamine when heated causes the loss of nitrogen, leaving guanidine, a muscle stimulant used as a pharmaceutical, and ammonia, a poison.[19] The reported symptoms of the animals conform to those of ammonia poisoning since melamine may metabolize into ammonia by the body.[20] Some researchers have focused on the role of other metabolic by-products of melamine in causing renal failure. On April 19 researchers announced that a "spoke-like crystal" had been found in contaminated rice protein concentrate and the tissues and urine of affected animals. The crystal serves as a biomarker for contamination and is roughly 30% melamine. The remainder has been identified as cyanuric acid, amilorine and amiloride by researchers at the University of Guelph, in Ontario and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The three chemicals are metabolites of melamine, which researchers hypothesized were formed as the animals metabolized the melamine. Other researchers at Michigan State University have confirmed amilorine and amiloride but not the cyanuric acid. At least one researcher believes that cyanuric acid, commonly used in pool chlorination, is the most likely chemical in the contaminated products causing renal failure in the affected animals, although tests in dogs and rats have shown that cyanuric acid is safe.[21] Richard Goldstein of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine hypothesized that the crystallization of melamine and cyanuric acid might cause cyanuric acid to remain in the kidneys for longer periods of time than when cyanuric acid in pool water is accidentally swallowed by people, explaining its apparent increased toxicity in this case. While it remains possible that cyanuric acid was added as a separate contaminant, Goldstein said that it was likely that it was the result of bacterial metabolism of melamine.[22] Cyanuric acid is a known intermediate byproduct of bacterial metabolism of melamine.[23] [edit] Widespread use in Chinese feed products Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This section is related to a current event. For the main article on the event, see 2007 pet food crisis. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. On April 30, 2007, The New York Times reported that the addition of melamine into fish and livestock feed to give the false appearance of a higher level of protein was an "open secret" in many parts of China.[5] Shandong Mingshui Great Chemical Group, the company reported by the New York Times as producing melamine from coal, produces and sells both urea and melamine.[24] Melamine production in China has increased greatly in recent years leading to surplus availability.[25] In the United States Geological Survey 2004 Minerals Survey Yearbook, in a report on worldwide nitrogen production, the author stated that "China continued to plan and construct new ammonia and urea plants using coal gasification technology."[ The problem I have with the NYT article is that it does not say they add it to wheat gluten. They keep saying animal feed. May be another case of Bush trying to mislead the public. Why would any feed supplier trying to cheat tell you his feed is crap? Would he lose his customers when word got out that impurities are added on purpose? |
#6
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
"James" Keep political BS out of the group and why in the hell are you crossposting |
#7
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
On Apr 30, 10:03 am, James wrote:
On Apr 30, 12:17 pm, PaPaPeng wrote: The problem I have with the NYT article is that it does not say they add it to wheat gluten. They keep saying animal feed. May be another case of Bush trying to mislead the public. Why would any feed supplier trying to cheat tell you his feed is crap? Would he lose his customers when word got out that impurities are added on purpose? Come on, guys, be realistic. We all know Chinese people in China are well known for this kind of cheats. When my gf buys mooncakes, she would only buy those made in Hong Kong as she said she can not trust the ingredients in the mooncakes from China. She said Chinese fishermen inject water into fish to make it weigh more. The same with the beef. China must rid itself of these kinds of petty cheating. |
#8
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
FDA is reporting that the Chinese companies got around their government's
inspections by saying the product was not "food." FDA is also admitting that it has received over 17,000 consumer complaints and 4,150 pet deaths have been reported. Far cry from the 16 or so they have been saying for weeks. S. "James" wrote in message ps.com... On Apr 30, 12:17 pm, PaPaPeng wrote: On 29 Apr 2007 19:13:15 -0700, James wrote: For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." The China gluten exporter doesn't make the stuff himself and get his gluten supply from sub contractors. These sub contractors are hundreds of small businesses who would not have the chemistry knowledge to spike their false protein content for lab tests. I don't think there is any lab food testing of gluten in China before they are exported. If there is no testing what is the point of spending money and effort to spike the product since there is no profit in doing so. Gluten itself is a low value product which is why it is used for pet food (up to 50% content). The American and Canadian buyers don't test for protein content either which is why everyone is mystified where the melamine came from. Gluten is a natural food product and the content proportions all come within a very narrow band. Just as you cannot make meat "meatier" you cannot make gluten "protein-ier" as any test results out of the narrow band of figures will be obvious instantly and therefore suspect. To balance the proportions to within normal requires chemistry knowledge, skills and equipment Chinese gluten producers do not have. In any case to raise the protein rating something else has to go down such as adding more flour. Again what is the point? Tests for carbohydrates and sugars will then also spike as send out alarms. If you read the reports carefully the link with melanine and the link to China is speculation not a fact. The China link does serve as a useful distraction away from the pet food manufacturers and gives the FDA time to investigate. ================================================== ======= Go to Wikipedia to get more data about melamine.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine Melamine is an organic base with the chemical formula C3H6N6, with the IUPAC name 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine. It is only slightly soluble in water. (PPP: A simple test will then be to stir up the pet food in water then see what floats up.] Melamine is a trimer of cyanamide. Like cyanamide, it is 66% nitrogen (by mass) and provides fire retardant properties to resin formulas by releasing nitrogen when burned or charred. Dicyandiamide (or cyanoguanidine), the dimer of cyanamide, is also used as a fire retardant Melamine is a metabolite of cyromazine, a pesticide. It is formed in the body of mammals who have ingested cyromazine.[2] It was also reported that cyromazine is converted to melamine in plants.[3][4] [edit] Synthesis Melamine is produced from urea, mainly by either of two methods: catalyzed gas-phase production or high pressure liquid-phase production. Melamine is produced from the heating of dicyanodiamide, which is prepared from the polymerization of cyanamide[citation needed]. Melamine production in China has also been reported as using coal as raw material.[5] [edit] Uses Melamine is used combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic, and of melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, fabrics, glues and flame retardants. Melamine is one of major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics. Melamine is also used to make fertilizers. [edit] Regulation The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a test method for analyzing cyromazine and melamine in animal tissues in its Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook which "contains test methods used by FSIS Laboratories to support the Agency's inspection program, ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled."[6][7] In 1999, in a proposed rule published in the Federal Register regarding cyromazine residue, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed "remov[ing] melamine, a metabolite of cyromazine from the tolerance expression since it is no longer considered a residue of concern."[8] [edit] Toxicity Animal studies have shown that ingestion of melamine may lead to kidney stones, cancer or reproductive damage.[9][10][11][12] This section is related to a current event. For the main article on the event, see 2007 pet food crisis. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. In 2007 a pet food recall was initiated by Menu Foods and other pet food manufacturers who had found their products had been contaminated and caused serious illnesses or deaths in some of the animals that had eaten them[13][14][15]. On 30 March 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration reported finding white granular melamine in the pet food, in samples of white granular wheat gluten imported from a single source in China, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology [16] as well as in crystalline form in the kidneys and in urine of affected animals[17]. The practice of adding melamine scrap to animal feed is reported to be widespread in China in order to give the appearance of increased protein content in animal feed.[5] The presence of melamine has not been conclusively linked to the deaths of animals, as this chemical was previously thought to be relatively non-toxic at low doses. The FDA has blocked importation of wheat gluten from the Chinese supplier (Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology), pending completion of its investigation. On April 24, 2007, the FDA announced it will expand its investigation to test for ingredients imported for human consumption, including wheat gluten, corn gluten, cornmeal, rice bran and rice protein[18] Melamine when heated causes the loss of nitrogen, leaving guanidine, a muscle stimulant used as a pharmaceutical, and ammonia, a poison.[19] The reported symptoms of the animals conform to those of ammonia poisoning since melamine may metabolize into ammonia by the body.[20] Some researchers have focused on the role of other metabolic by-products of melamine in causing renal failure. On April 19 researchers announced that a "spoke-like crystal" had been found in contaminated rice protein concentrate and the tissues and urine of affected animals. The crystal serves as a biomarker for contamination and is roughly 30% melamine. The remainder has been identified as cyanuric acid, amilorine and amiloride by researchers at the University of Guelph, in Ontario and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The three chemicals are metabolites of melamine, which researchers hypothesized were formed as the animals metabolized the melamine. Other researchers at Michigan State University have confirmed amilorine and amiloride but not the cyanuric acid. At least one researcher believes that cyanuric acid, commonly used in pool chlorination, is the most likely chemical in the contaminated products causing renal failure in the affected animals, although tests in dogs and rats have shown that cyanuric acid is safe.[21] Richard Goldstein of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine hypothesized that the crystallization of melamine and cyanuric acid might cause cyanuric acid to remain in the kidneys for longer periods of time than when cyanuric acid in pool water is accidentally swallowed by people, explaining its apparent increased toxicity in this case. While it remains possible that cyanuric acid was added as a separate contaminant, Goldstein said that it was likely that it was the result of bacterial metabolism of melamine.[22] Cyanuric acid is a known intermediate byproduct of bacterial metabolism of melamine.[23] [edit] Widespread use in Chinese feed products Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This section is related to a current event. For the main article on the event, see 2007 pet food crisis. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. On April 30, 2007, The New York Times reported that the addition of melamine into fish and livestock feed to give the false appearance of a higher level of protein was an "open secret" in many parts of China.[5] Shandong Mingshui Great Chemical Group, the company reported by the New York Times as producing melamine from coal, produces and sells both urea and melamine.[24] Melamine production in China has increased greatly in recent years leading to surplus availability.[25] In the United States Geological Survey 2004 Minerals Survey Yearbook, in a report on worldwide nitrogen production, the author stated that "China continued to plan and construct new ammonia and urea plants using coal gasification technology."[ The problem I have with the NYT article is that it does not say they add it to wheat gluten. They keep saying animal feed. May be another case of Bush trying to mislead the public. Why would any feed supplier trying to cheat tell you his feed is crap? Would he lose his customers when word got out that impurities are added on purpose? |
#9
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
On Apr 30, 8:34 pm, "blkcatgal" wrote:
FDA is reporting that the Chinese companies got around their government's inspections by saying the product was not "food." FDA is also admitting that it has received over 17,000 consumer complaints and 4,150 pet deaths have been reported. Far cry from the 16 or so they have been saying for weeks. S. The U.S. must teach China a lesson on unsafe food practices and not let China get away with such a bad situation. |
#10
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Does the Trail of Tainted Pet Food Lead to a Fertilizer Plant In China?
On Apr 30, 11:34 pm, "blkcatgal" wrote:
FDA is reporting that the Chinese companies got around their government's inspections by saying the product was not "food." FDA is also admitting that it has received over 17,000 consumer complaints and 4,150 pet deaths have been reported. Far cry from the 16 or so they have been saying for weeks. Has it been oncluded that melamine is the cause of death? AFAIK, melamine is not poisonous. Melamine resin is used to fortify teabags such that they won't disintegrate in hot water. S. "James" wrote in message ps.com... On Apr 30, 12:17 pm, PaPaPeng wrote: On 29 Apr 2007 19:13:15 -0700, James wrote: For one thing, melamine is considerably more expensive than wheat gluten. No unscrupulous exporter is going to cut wheat gluten with melamine to increase his profits." The China gluten exporter doesn't make the stuff himself and get his gluten supply from sub contractors. These sub contractors are hundreds of small businesses who would not have the chemistry knowledge to spike their false protein content for lab tests. I don't think there is any lab food testing of gluten in China before they are exported. If there is no testing what is the point of spending money and effort to spike the product since there is no profit in doing so. Gluten itself is a low value product which is why it is used for pet food (up to 50% content). The American and Canadian buyers don't test for protein content either which is why everyone is mystified where the melamine came from. Gluten is a natural food product and the content proportions all come within a very narrow band. Just as you cannot make meat "meatier" you cannot make gluten "protein-ier" as any test results out of the narrow band of figures will be obvious instantly and therefore suspect. To balance the proportions to within normal requires chemistry knowledge, skills and equipment Chinese gluten producers do not have. In any case to raise the protein rating something else has to go down such as adding more flour. Again what is the point? Tests for carbohydrates and sugars will then also spike as send out alarms. If you read the reports carefully the link with melanine and the link to China is speculation not a fact. The China link does serve as a useful distraction away from the pet food manufacturers and gives the FDA time to investigate. ================================================== ======= Go to Wikipedia to get more data about melamine.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine Melamine is an organic base with the chemical formula C3H6N6, with the IUPAC name 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine. It is only slightly soluble in water. (PPP: A simple test will then be to stir up the pet food in water then see what floats up.] Melamine is a trimer of cyanamide. Like cyanamide, it is 66% nitrogen (by mass) and provides fire retardant properties to resin formulas by releasing nitrogen when burned or charred. Dicyandiamide (or cyanoguanidine), the dimer of cyanamide, is also used as a fire retardant Melamine is a metabolite of cyromazine, a pesticide. It is formed in the body of mammals who have ingested cyromazine.[2] It was also reported that cyromazine is converted to melamine in plants.[3][4] [edit] Synthesis Melamine is produced from urea, mainly by either of two methods: catalyzed gas-phase production or high pressure liquid-phase production. Melamine is produced from the heating of dicyanodiamide, which is prepared from the polymerization of cyanamide[citation needed]. Melamine production in China has also been reported as using coal as raw material.[5] [edit] Uses Melamine is used combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic, and of melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, fabrics, glues and flame retardants. Melamine is one of major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics. Melamine is also used to make fertilizers. [edit] Regulation The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a test method for analyzing cyromazine and melamine in animal tissues in its Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook which "contains test methods used by FSIS Laboratories to support the Agency's inspection program, ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled."[6][7] In 1999, in a proposed rule published in the Federal Register regarding cyromazine residue, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed "remov[ing] melamine, a metabolite of cyromazine from the tolerance expression since it is no longer considered a residue of concern."[8] [edit] Toxicity Animal studies have shown that ingestion of melamine may lead to kidney stones, cancer or reproductive damage.[9][10][11][12] This section is related to a current event. For the main article on the event, see 2007 pet food crisis. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. In 2007 a pet food recall was initiated by Menu Foods and other pet food manufacturers who had found their products had been contaminated and caused serious illnesses or deaths in some of the animals that had eaten them[13][14][15]. On 30 March 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration reported finding white granular melamine in the pet food, in samples of white granular wheat gluten imported from a single source in China, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology [16] as well as in crystalline form in the kidneys and in urine of affected animals[17]. The practice of adding melamine scrap to animal feed is reported to be widespread in China in order to give the appearance of increased protein content in animal feed.[5] The presence of melamine has not been conclusively linked to the deaths of animals, as this chemical was previously thought to be relatively non-toxic at low doses. The FDA has blocked importation of wheat gluten from the Chinese supplier (Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology), pending completion of its investigation. On April 24, 2007, the FDA announced it will expand its investigation to test for ingredients imported for human consumption, including wheat gluten, corn gluten, cornmeal, rice bran and rice protein[18] Melamine when heated causes the loss of nitrogen, leaving guanidine, a muscle stimulant used as a pharmaceutical, and ammonia, a poison.[19] The reported symptoms of the animals conform to those of ammonia poisoning since melamine may metabolize into ammonia by the body.[20] Some researchers have focused on the role of other metabolic by-products of melamine in causing renal failure. On April 19 researchers announced that a "spoke-like crystal" had been found in contaminated rice protein concentrate and the tissues and urine of affected animals. The crystal serves as a biomarker for contamination and is roughly 30% melamine. The remainder has been identified as cyanuric acid, amilorine and amiloride by researchers at the University of Guelph, in Ontario and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The three chemicals are metabolites of melamine, which researchers hypothesized were formed as the animals metabolized the melamine. Other researchers at Michigan State University have confirmed amilorine and amiloride but not the cyanuric acid. At least one researcher believes that cyanuric acid, commonly used in pool chlorination, is the most likely chemical in the contaminated products causing renal failure in the affected animals, although tests in dogs and rats have shown that cyanuric acid is safe.[21] Richard Goldstein of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine hypothesized that the crystallization of melamine and cyanuric acid might cause cyanuric acid to remain in the kidneys for longer periods of time than when cyanuric acid in pool water is accidentally swallowed by people, explaining its apparent increased toxicity in this case. While it remains possible that cyanuric acid was added as a separate contaminant, Goldstein said that it was likely that it was the result of bacterial metabolism of melamine.[22] Cyanuric acid is a known intermediate byproduct of bacterial metabolism of melamine.[23] [edit] Widespread use in Chinese feed products Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This section is related to a current event. For the main article on the event, see 2007 pet food crisis. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. On April 30, 2007, The New York Times reported that the addition of melamine into fish and livestock feed to give the false appearance of a higher level of protein was an "open secret" in many parts of China.[5] Shandong Mingshui Great Chemical Group, the company reported by the New York Times as producing melamine from coal, produces and sells both urea and melamine.[24] Melamine production in China has increased greatly in recent years leading to surplus availability.[25] In the United States Geological Survey 2004 Minerals Survey Yearbook, in a report on worldwide nitrogen production, the author stated that "China continued to plan and construct new ammonia and urea plants using coal gasification technology."[ The problem I have with the NYT article is that it does not say they add it to wheat gluten. They keep saying animal feed. May be another case of Bush trying to mislead the public. Why would any feed supplier trying to cheat tell you his feed is crap? Would he lose his customers when word got out that impurities are added on purpose? |
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