Melamine in imported cookies could cause health problems

by Steven John, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture said it's found melamine in cookies sold in at least one Asian grocery in Minnesota.

Melamine is a synthetic chemical used in industrial products like plastic resins, flame retardants and fertilizers. Even though it's not-edible, melamine contamination has been responsible for product recalls of pet and animal food in the U.S. and infant formula and other foods in China and Southeast Asia.

The recent advisory in Minnesota targets Wonderfarm brand 'Successful' biscuits made in Vietnam. The cookies were being sold in an Oriental food store in Rochester.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said people who ingest too much melamine could suffer from symptoms like bladder stones, kidney failure and even death, as has been the case for a number of infants in China.

Heidi Kassenborg joined All Things Considered to talk more about the first advisory issued in Minnesota for melamine contamination. She is the Director of the Dairy and Food Inspection Division at the state agriculture department.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 11/10/2008, 5:24 p.m.