Applied Biosystems Helps China Respond to Melamine Contamination in Dairy Products

Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies Corporation, has announced that the Chinese government and two leading food manufacturers are implementing its mass spectrometry-based technologies for food analysis as part of efforts to identify and contain the spread of melamine in the food supply.

Melamine contamination in dairy products is getting widespread attention following recent media reports of outbreaks in China and other countries. More than 94,000 infants and young children have been treated for health issues related to tainted infant formula and other products. China is responding to this issue with a series of actions that include increased food safety testing.

The Chinese government and industry are taking action to protect a broad range of food products and animal feed, through enhanced testing procedures that require laboratory instrumentation capable of identification of melamine and other contaminants.

“Food safety is one of the most important issues for government agencies and industry around the world,” said Laura Lauman, President of Life Technologies’ mass spectrometry systems division. “AB SCIEX mass spectrometry solutions are playing a critical role in helping China and other countries, including the United States, to ensure the safety of food being produced for consumption inside their borders and abroad.”