Phased release of recalled products

FROM AVA :

AVA has completed its surveillance tests on more than 3,500 milk products, of which some 500 were made in China. To date, 16 China milk products have been found to contain melamine. These products have been destroyed or are awaiting destruction.

AVA will release China made milk products that were imported into Singapore prior to the 19 Sep ban in three phases, under a managed-risk approach. Low-risk products will be released in the first phase followed by medium risk products (Phase 2) and higher risk products (Phase 3).

All products are subject to further checks and will only be released for sale after laboratory tests have ascertained that they do not contain melamine exceeding AVA’s action limits*. The categories of products under each phase are:

Phase 1 : Low risk products
- Butter
- Ghee
- Non-dairy creamer
- Cereals
- Products made in China using milk from other countries as ingredient

Phase 2 : Medium risk products
- Bread
- Cake
- Chocolate
- Biscuits and crackers
- Candies
- Other confectionery products

Phase 3 : Higher risk products
- Liquid milk
- Ice-cream
- Milk protein
- Whey protein

The pre-release testing for the low risk products of butter, ghee and nondairy creamer from China (three products under Phase 1) have been completed and found satisfactory. These products will be released for sale with immediate effect. Products made in China using milk from other countries as an ingredient will be released for sale when the importers submit documentary proof of the sources of milk ingredients. The remaining products would be
released over the next 2-3 weeks when tests on them have been completed.

*AVA’s action limits for melamine are 1 part per million (ppm) for food products forchildren below 3 years of age, and 5 ppm for all other food products.