NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell, Stupak to Investigate Melamine Contamination in Chinese Milk Products

Lawmakers Expand Food Safety Probe Following Illnesses, Deaths
Call on FDA to Protect U.S. Consumers from Tainted Imports

Washington, D.C. - Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI), Chairman of its Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, announced today that the Committee is expanding its food safety investigation following the recent outbreak in China involving contaminated milk products. To date, melamine-tainted milk products have poisoned more than 53,000 children in China, Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and are responsible for at least four deaths. The Committee will specifically review what steps FDA is taking to ensure that U.S. consumers are protected from Chinese-made food products contaminated with melamine.

“I am distressed to once again witness a disaster the Chinese have on their hands involving mass illness and death from melamine contamination. Milk and processed candies have not only seriously harmed thousands in China but have been exported and now threaten the health of Americans,” said Dingell. “Despite their promises, China cannot keep the food it exports safe and we know from the Committee’s investigation that FDA provides no serious protection for Americans from dangerous food imports. Clearly, Congress will have to turn FDA into a meaningful regulator of imports or ban food from China and other unprotected sources.”

“The Chinese Minister of AQSIQ (Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine) promised Committee investigators that all of China’s certified food exports are required to meet both Chinese and the importing nation’s safety specifications,” said Stupak. “I am sure it came as a surprise to New Zealand, Canada, and other importers of Chinese goods that the deadly chemical melamine was added to products they were importing. Melamine is certainly not part of their specifications for milk, chocolate, and other milk products that infants and others consume. This further highlights the need for robust inspections and enforcement by FDA as well as country of origin labeling on all foods – including processed foods - so Americans can protect their families when the Chinese and the FDA fail.”

To date, the Committee has held eight hearings on food safety. Click here for more information about the Committee investigation or the hearings.

Committee leaders are currently working on comprehensive legislation to strengthen FDA and ensure the safety of food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.

Read the letter

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