Melamine: In Formula, In Candy, In Kids’ Dishes
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen
You may recall the massive pet food recall of 2007 after cats and dogs across the country were getting sick and dying from eating melamine laced pet food. Well, it’s moved up the food chain. For weeks now China has been in the midst of a public health scandal due to the death of four and the hospitalization of thousands of babies fed infant formula laced with melamine. Since then, traces of melamine have been found in an increasing amount of products including milk shakes at a Chinese Restaurant in Austria, infant formula manufactured in New Zealand, Nestle products in Taiwan, cookies in the UK, pretzels in Canada, and imported tainted candy in Connecticut.
Melamine, a chemical used to make plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, and even commercial fish feed, has apparently been added to the milk products to falsely increase the apparent level of protein. Interestingly, melamine alone is of very low toxicity (comparable to table salt), but when it is combined with cyanuric acid, animal studies have suggested that kidney problems occur. This effect is known as synergistic toxicity. It is these two chemicals combined that cause health problems and that is what was ultimately discovered in the dog food debacle. Still, no one seems to be talking about the combo this time around other than the World Health Organization who has released a preliminary report offering safety guidelines for acceptable levels of the contaminants in food, but cautions that their assessment is preliminary and there is still more research needed.
The World Health Organization says that traces of melamine in food pose no harm as it’s quickly eliminated from the body without causing harm. The FDA agrees for the general population, but adds that no level of melamine is safe for infant formula.
This last bit, from the pro-BPA FDA none the less, makes one reconsider the safety of melamine dishware for kids. You know, all those hard plastic plates and cups with adorable pictures and patterns on them. They are often referred to as melamine, but are actually a polymer of melamine and formaldehyde. Two immediate thoughts arise:
• The FDA just publicly announced there is no safe level for melamine in infant formula, so it compels one to believe we shouldn’t be feeding babies using melamine dishware.
• The National Toxicology Program announced in June that more research was needed on melamine and a new public health recommendation needs to be developed. One concern they have is the synergistic toxicity of melamine and cyanuric acid, which we usually are not exposed to simultaneously, but we could easily be exposed to sequentially (e.g. drinking from a melamine cup and then swimming in a pool that uses cyanuric acid as a stabilizer and disinfectant).
• Formaldehyde is a potent carcinogen, so why are we making dishware for children using it?
A quick search reveals that melamine, just like other suspect plastics, leaches its constituents into food and beverages (especially those that are acidic or warm). Here are studies from 1986, 1990, 2005, and 2006. Each of the studies claims the leaching levels are “safe” levels, but historically “safe” levels drop over time and shouldn’t we be considering cumulative “safe” exposures from the wide variety of sources ubiquitous in every day life?
At Healthy Child, we simply and fundamentally believe it’s better to be safe than sorry – especially when the exposure is completely unnecessary. If you have melamine dishes for your kids, perhaps it’s time to retire them to the pretend kitchen play set, a decorative shelf on the wall, the craft supplies cupboard, the bath tub, or the sandbox. Opt for dishware that is made from glass, ceramic, bamboo, stainless steel, or safer plastics (which I’m starting to question even exist).
And, to make things easier for you, we’ll be releasing a printable Pocket Shopping Guide very, very soon!
Posted by Jennifer Taggart on 10/08 at 02:49 PM
First, let me just say that I think it is important to be safe rather than sorry. Second, let me also say that we strive to be plastic free in our house, but we have not succeeded to date.
That being said, there may not be a safer plastic for dishes. I’ve reached that conclusion myself - we use pretty much glass for food. I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old and they haven’t broken anything. I break more when I wash, in fact.
But, in the spectrum of available plastic for dishes, melamine resin was considered one of the safer plastics for food contact. And, of the available plastics, melamine is probably still on the safer side. But, it does leach small amounts of melamine and formaldehyde. The amount of melamine from a melamine dish is probably not something to be worried about for dishes in good condition and made well. Yes, the studies, particularly 2005, show that some dishes is visibly poor condition and/or that aren’t made properly leach higher levels - levels about the European total migration standard. Melamine can cause fatal kidney problems, but if you look at the cited studies and similar studies, and calculate the amount leached with exposure to an acidic food, it is a very low dose - not something that would cause a problem. Much, much lower than the contaminated food issues. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen, and can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. But again, the levels are very low, particularly when compared to the amount of formaldehyde off gassing from all of our engineered wood products, from laminated floors to bookshelves.
Another problem with melamine and in fact all plastic dishes is the risk of lead or cadmium in any decorations. Not allowed under the regulations, but still happens.
I don’t want my kids to get anything I can avoid. But all plastics leach. Think about it, 90% of PET bottles are processed with antimony, and storage over a couple of months shows increased levels of antimony.
My conclusion? I choose glass. Without any decorations because of lead. Not much fun, but seems to be the only option.
But for traveling, we still use a safer plastic or stainless steel. Yes, I recognize that some people steer clear of stainless steel because of nickel and chromium leaching. Studies show those are low too but still . . .
I’m also very careful about my ceramics. No low fire handmade or Mexican style pottery - always seem to test high for lead.
It is hard to be a green mom!
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 10/08 at 02:53 PM
I completely, whole-heartedly agree, Sommer. I am thinking that it’s all about to change soon enough, though. The way the internet is allowing us to share this kind of information and join our voices is beginning to make an impact. Green parents will lead the way to a better future!
By the way - SafeMama posted a great blog about melamine yesterday, too. Check it out at http://safemama.com/2008/10/07/what-is-melamine-a-crash-course/
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 10/08 at 05:12 PM
Jennifer brings up great points. Chemicals leaching from melamine dishes (or “safer” plastic dishes) probably don’t need to be the highest priority on the journey to green (especially if you’re not using them in the microwave or with hot foods, you’re handwashing them, and then disposing of them when they are worn).
My house is by no means plastic-free and every parent has to choose their own priorities, but I’m happier (usually) having full disclosure about what’s in something and what it might be leaching/off-gassing/etc.
Glass does seem to be the safest bet (as well as being cheap and recyclable!), but each of us has to use what works for our families. Just like Jennifer uses a combination, at my house we rely on glass, ceramic, and stainless steel at home and pull out the “safer” plastic for food on the go.
What do others use? How do you feel about “trace” amounts of chemicals leaching even from “safer” plastics?
Posted by Jennifer Taggart on 10/08 at 07:52 PM
Janelle - You bring up good point on full disclosure. For example, many companies are now touting bamboo dinnerware. But what is in the coating? 18 layers of food safe lacquer touts one - but was in it that lacquer? What is allowed under the FDA’s rules for food contact items is scary. See 21 CFR parts 175, 176, 177 and 178. Just check out the list of “indirect” additives used in food contact substances. And keep in mind that the FDA doesn’t see any problem with polycarbonate, polystyrene or melamine for that matter.
Glass baby, glass.
Posted by che of teak furniture on 10/09 at 04:11 AM
I think it was last year when the issue was about lead in toys. And now it’s melamine. I wonder what is next. This is crazy. I am now too scared to buy things as almost all are made from China.
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 10/13 at 11:11 AM
Glass, baby, glass! You are so right, Jennifer!
Posted by Micaela Preston on 10/16 at 05:46 PM
It’s enough to drive you crazy! I had looked into melamine awhile back and it sure seemed to be one of the safer plastics to use. Now I’m wondering if I should ditch the stack of melamine plates that I use occasionally. On the flip side, I hate throwing things in the trash! Maybe I’ll put them in the basement and just pull them out for picnics. Then the temptation to use them will be lower.
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 10/16 at 09:08 PM
Oh, don’t throw them away, Micaela! I think using them for picnics is a great idea.
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 10/20 at 11:10 AM
Melamine is a chemical:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine
When it is combined with formaldehyde, it becomes a plastic resin.
Posted by on 12/09 at 06:46 PM
Thank you all for this helpful info. I’ll be skipping the cute little melamine dishes that seemed to be calling my name at the store today.
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Posted by Sommer/Green and Clean Mom on 10/08 at 12:48 PM
Oh, my! I have four of these plates and they will now be pitched or reused for arts and crafts. I am so frustrated. I read at The Soft Landing today that you can’t recycle the plates either. What is making me so upset is that as parents we do our best, but the government and companies are making it next to impossible. They allow for harmful chemicals to be on our foods and in our dishware and then defend it. Sick.
Janelle, thank you for this.