Warning over dumping of contaminated pet food

[Celebration]

http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/&articleid=305338

Pet owners must not dump food they fear may be contaminated with melamine because it might cause environmental damage or poison animals and people.

The South African Veterinary Association (Sava) issued this warning on Friday and urged pet owners to return all possibly contaminated food to their vets.

So far, 30 animals have died after a batch of food produced by the company Royal Canin (RC) was contaminated with melamine.

"Owners must return all possibly contaminated food to their vets so that RC can incinerate it," said association spokesperson Gerhardt Steenkamp.

"Dumping it in the refuse bin could expose the environment to the toxin, which could lead to human or animal exposure."

This is a warning in South Africa. Any such warning here?

[City Lights]

1. It should be returned to China. Let them dispose of it properly.

I haven't read about any such warnings issued here, which really doesn't surprise me.

[whistle]

2. This online description of melamine probably needs to be updated

....it has no reference to toxic hazzards to animals and nothing about contamination of pet foods:

<snip>
Melamine

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On this page you will find answers to some frequently asked questions
concerning melamine and its applications.

1 What is melamine?
2 What are typical properties of melamine?
3 How is MelaminebyDSM produced?
4 What is melamine mainly used for?
5 What else is melamine used for?
6 Is melamine safe?

1 What is melamine?
Melamine is a white powder with unique properties - the chemical compound melamine (triamino-triazine - C3N6H6), consisting of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen.

The German scientist Justus von Liebig first synthesized a compound in the 1830s and called it melamine. Commercial interest and synthesis of the compound started in 1937. Nowadays melamine is an important starting material for the production of synthetic thermosetting products worldwide. Melamine is often used as a brand name.



2 What are typical properties of melamine?
Melamine enables the creation of hard, glossy surfaces which are durable and hardwearing. Melamine surfaces and products are safe, hygienic, non-allergic and highly resistant to heat, chemicals and moisture. Melamine in glues for wood-based panels contributes to achieving low-emissions targets.



3 How is MelaminebyDSM produced?
DSM produces melamine in a low-pressure, catalytic, gas-phase process. The starting materials for the production of melamine are natural gas and carbon dioxide. Urea is used as a feedstock in a highly sophisticated DSM proprietary poduction processes. A shortened liquid-phase process technology has been developed and is utilized for additional production units.



4 What is melamine mainly used for?
The main use of melamine is as a reactive intermediate for the manufacturing of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) and melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins. Most melamine-based resins are used in decorative surface laminates and in adhesives for the production of water- and moisture-resistant wood-based panels.

The wood-based panel industry supplies end-markets such as the construction industry with boards, panels and beams. The majority of these panels are surfaced with durable, hardwearing decorated melamine papers. Panels and laminates are used as kitchen worktops and tabletops, and for furniture, flooring and wall coverings.



5 What else is melamine used for?
Melamine and melamine resins are also used as:

A thermosetting compound for making "melamine" dinnerware
Cross-linking additives in coatings for cars, cans and coils
Additives for paper and textiles
Water-reducing concrete admixtures (liquefying agents)

Melamine powder is used as:

Flame-retardant additives for foams (e.g., in furniture and mattresses)
and plastics
A starting material for many derivatives and compounds in a multitude
of chemical applications


6 Is melamine safe?
Melamine is a stable, non-hazardous product. It has no acute or chronic toxic effects on human health. For more detailed information, see the Safety Data Sheet.

Melamine-surfaced products (e.g., tabletops, flooring laminates) and
melamine dinnerware are non-toxic, non-allergic and safe in use.

<link> http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/dmm/faq_page.htm#faq1

[valerief]

3. Now why would our FDA or EPA warn us about something could harm us?

That's so 9-10.
:sarcasm: