"MelamineScare" news and stories

It seems that each day is bringing with it more reports of tainted Chinese products getting recalled. First it was the infant formula (that thankfully never made it to the US). Then it was the milk candy White Rabbit (if you are a fan of that candy, take heart, some helpful Slashfood readers offered up suggestions on alternatives). Then early this week, the British candy manufacturer Cadbury got in on the game, pulling their Chinese-made products off store shelves.

The latest news is that manufacturing giant Unilever is recalling four batches of Lipton's Milk Tea powder in Hong Kong and Macau. They say it is just a precaution and that the Milk Tea outside of those four batches is perfectly safe.

According to Chinese state television, so far in this contamination scandal, they've thrown away 8,256 tons of milk and milk powder products, with possibly more still to come.

As you've probably heard by now, China is in the midst of another food contamination crisis. This time, it's been discovered that a variety of milk products, including infant formula, were laced with melamine. Four babies have died as a result and countless others have been sickened. While no Chinese formula has been found in the US, Bay Area FDA Inspectors have found that the milk-based candy 'White Rabbit' may contain some melamine. All inventory of the candy has been pulled from the shelves and there are currently no reports that anyone in this country has become ill as a result of eating the candy.

I'm quite sad to hear that 'White Rabbit' is no longer safe, as it it has always been one of my favorite treats to pick up at my local Asian foods store. For at least 15 years, it has been a staple in my Christmas stocking (my dad knows I love the stuff) but after this, I don't feel safe eating it.