More From the FDA

The blog, Lilbrit, has some more news about the FDA's recent handling of the melaimine that somehow got into lots of food in the United States.  She refers us to a new FDA Alert found on the FDA website, and explains how broad it truly is:

IA #99-29, 4/27/07,  IMPORT ALERT #99-29, "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION OF ALL VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS FROM CHINA FOR ANIMAL OR HUMAN FOOD USE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF MELAMINE AND/OR MELAMINE ANALOGS"

TYPE OF ALERT: Detention Without Physical Examination (Countrywide)

[...]

PRODUCTS: Wheat Gluten
   Rice Gluten
   Rice Protein
   Rice Protein Concentrate
   Corn Gluten
   Corn Gluten Meal
   Corn By-Products
   Soy Protein
   Soy Gluten
   Proteins (includes amino acids and protein hydrosylates)
   Mung Bean Protein

PROBLEM: Poisonous or Deleterious Substance Unfit For Food
   Unsafe Food Additive

PAF:          PES

COUNTRY:      China (CN)

MANUFACTURER/SHIPPER:     All

CHARGES:   "The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to
     section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to bear or contain a
     poisonous or deleterious substance, which may render it
     injurious to health [Adulteration, section 402(a)(1)]"

Lilbrit:  Look at that list now--it includes just about every form of grain protein there is. Soy, rice and mung bean proteins that go into cookies and pizza dough and baby food, as well as countless "healthy" smoothies served at juice bars across the country. Would you like a sprinkle of melamine  splash of cyanuric acid shot of protein powder in your mango shake for just a dollar more?

This summer I had decided to grow some herbs in pots in backyard - perhaps it is time to consider an expansion of that idea.