DU test finds melamine in major milk brands

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution has forwarded to the commerce ministry the Dhaka University test report that detects melamine in some milk brands imported from countries other than China.
The chief of the official certification agency, however, stressed that the findings of the test done at the chemistry department of Dhaka University should be rechecked in other local or foreign laboratories in view of the sensitivity of the issue.
BSTI director general Azmal Hossain on Wednesday said the DU test report showed existence of melamine in the samples of eight milks brands, including Dano from Denmark, Diploma and Red Cow from Australia and Nido, a Swiss milk brand sourced from Australia.
‘The DU test claims that samples of all these brands contained melamine, in some cases more than 100 milligram per kilogram,’ said Azmal.
The BSTI received the test report in the afternoon and forwarded it immediately to the commerce ministry for necessary action, the BSTI chief said.
Tests done at three laboratories previously did not find melamine in non-Chinese milk brands, requiring further test either at home or abroad to reach a conclusion, he said.
‘It is a sensitive matter, so recheck is essential,’ said Azmal
Earlier, private laboratory Plasma Plus, state-owned BCSIR and BSTI’s own laboratory found melamine only in Chinese brands Yeshli-1 Yesli-2, Sweet Baby Sun Care and Sunlu at a maximum of 86 milligram per kilogram.
Mahmub Jamil, chief adviser’s special assistant for the industries ministry, said if existence of melamine was proved in all milk brands, he might recommend a ban on marketing of all foreign-made milk powder brands.
The inter-material taskforce, coordinated by the commerce ministry and responsible to check marketing of unregistered milk brands, will sit today to boost up vigilance and discuss actions following the latest developments.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Public Health and Nutrition, which is responsible for registration of baby milk brands, said it had made “melamine free” certification mandatory for all registered milk brands.
Certificates could be taken from BSTI, BCSIR and the DU’s chemistry department, the IPHN notified, requesting the civil surgeon’s offices in all districts to help mobile courts in checking sales of unregistered baby milk brands.