Instructions for Importers: Sampling of food products containing milk and milk-derived ingredients from affected countries

Objective

To provide instructions to importers on actions to take for sampling of target foods.

• Requirements for Importers

Target

There are two target food groups:

1. Any infant formula or baby food with milk ingredients sourced from China should be tested.
2. Food products from China that are derived from milk or contain milk or milk-derived ingredients as one of the first three ingredients should also be tested. These products may include casein, whey protein concentrates, milk powders, milk-based beverages, custards, puddings, candies or confectionaries, sports nutrition products and nutritional supplements.

However, if you suspect that products imported from other countries may contain melamine, you will need to assure that the products are safe and compliant. This can be achieved by having the products tested by one of the Canadian labs acceptable to the CFIA.

Other names for milk or milk-derived ingredients include:

Ammonium/calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium caseinate
Butter
Casein/caseinate/rennet casein
Curds
Delactosed/demineralized whey
Dry milk/milk/sour cream/sour milk solids
Hydrolyzed casein, hydrolyzed milk protein
Lactalbumin/lactalbumin phosphate
Lactate/lactose
Lactoferrin
Lactoglobulin
Milk derivative/fat/protein
Modified milk ingredients
Skim milk powder
Whey, whey protein concentrate

Sampling:

Samples must be taken from every lot. A lot is defined as all of the products having the same lot code. If no code is on the product, the importer will need to define what is considered a lot and will have to document the basis for their choice. For example, the lot may be identified as the shipment (of that product) or a suitable portion of the shipment. Care must be taken in deciding what will constitute at lot as the result of the analysis will be applied to the entire lot. No re-sampling will be allowed and no subdivision of the lot will be permitted after samples have been taken and results of analysis issued.

Samples are to be taken in a timely manner after the product has arrived at the importers facility. The importer or an agent representing the importer must attest that the sample is representative of the lot that has been imported.

Each sample will consist of 5 sub-samples of at least 100g or mL. All 5 sub-samples must be from the same lot. Do not take samples in plastic containers (paper bags for dry ingredients, glass or metal containers are acceptable).

Samples will be shipped to a CFIA-recognized Canadian laboratory of the importer’s choice. The list of Canadian CFIA-recognized laboratories can be obtained from CFIA contacts (see below).

The CFIA urges importers to put the lots being sampled on hold until the results of laboratory analysis have been completed and the measured levels of melamine are below the levels specified by Health Canada (see http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/invenq/inform/chinmele.shtml for actual interim standards set by Health Canada). Should the lot be in distribution and the results come back higher than the interim standards, CFIA would need to be immediately notified and the product recalled from the market.

Results of laboratory analysis should be kept on file by the importer and must be available to CFIA inspectors upon request.

Contacts: