American Citizens Services

Warden Message on Milk Products in Hong Kong

September 24, 2008

The Hong Kong government has been proactive in its response to the discovery of the industrial contaminant melamine in infant formula and other dairy products sold in Hong Kong. The melamine contamination is linked to milk powder produced in mainland China. The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has appealed to people not to consume milk and milk products that have been found to contain melamine and has posted a list of suspect products on their website:

www.cfs.gov.hk

The website also posts answers to frequently asked questions about melamine in mainland milk products. A CFS hotline (2381-6096) is operating from 9 am to 9 pm daily to take public inquiries about melamine contamination.

The Hong Kong Government Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is also operating a hotline (2125-1133) from 9 am to 5 pm daily to receive inquiries about suspected cases of renal disease related to contaminated milk products.

In light of reports from China of melamine in infant formula, the United States Food and Drug Administration has issued a Health Information Advisory to warn people that infant formula manufactured in China could pose a risk to infants. The Advisory also reassured the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products in the United States:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01883.html

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

 

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Last modified: September 24, 2008