4 October 2007

PETALING JAYA: Food or drinks served in melamine ware are safe for consumption, said producers outraged by claims that melamine products are hazardous to health.

Denouncing the allegations, the Malaysian Plastics Forum said melamine wares are made of materials containing formaldehyde and had been tested for safety.  

“Melamine ware products meet stringent standards for food and beverage contact materials,” said the MPF, quoting an endorsement by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The group was responding to a report in The Star on Monday that quoted the Consumers Association of Penang as warning the public against using melamine tableware. 

CAP claimed that regular ingestion of melamine, also known as thermo set plastic, could lead to cancer, skin allergies and blindness. 

MPF said the news report had needlessly created fear among the public by suggesting health concerns that were not scientifically supported. 

“The FDA adopts very high standards relating to health and safety and employs stringent tests to ensure that each item approved by the FDA complies with their standards. 

“The health and safety of consumers is of paramount importance when considering materials to be used in packaging that would come into contact with food and beverage,” the MPF added in a statement here yesterday. 

To further emphasise its point, it referred to several tests that met the specifications of the Standards and Industrial Research of Malaysia (Sirim) and similar authorities in Taiwan, the United States and Japan.  

CAP warns of melamine tableware