12.19.2008 9:22 AM

Are Your Christmas Biscuits Safe?

Melamine has been found in Wonderfarm biscuits, in the latest revelation of food contamination that started when the toxic industrial chemical was found in Chinese milk and dairy products.

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Photo: Karin Lau / Istock

By Dan Shapley

Wonderfarm biscuits sold in 800-gram red metal tins may be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, and should not be considered safe to eat, the Food and Drug Administration is warning.

The Interfood Shareholding Company, a Vietnamese firm, is recalling the following biscuit products because tests showed the presence of melamine:

Wonderfarm "Successful" Assorted Biscuits (UPC:8935001262091)
Wonderfarm "Royal Flavour" Assorted Biscuits (UPC:8935001263098)
Wonderfarm "Lovely Melody" Assorted Biscuits (UPC: 8935001263296)
Wonderfarm "Daily Life" Assorted Biscuits (UPC: 8935001264200)

The contamination was discovered in Minnesota. The biscuits were distributed to multiple states and sold to wholesale distributors, which sold to retail stores. Consumers can get a refund at the place of purchase. For other questions, email anthony.ma@jaimporters.com or call 323-780-3998.

The recall is the latest food contamination event involving the industrial chemical melamine. Melamine first entered the lexicon of most Americans last year when the chemical was found in pet foods that sickened or killed thousands of pets after it was apparently added to pet foods to boost the apparent level of protein. Melamine mimics protein in tests commonly used to determine protein content, but it can be toxic. Melamine has since been identified in a range of Chinese human food products, including most notably infant formula. Thousands of infants developed painful kidney stones, and several died, from that contamination event, and some baby food in the U.S. and Canada has also tested positive for melamine, though at levels the FDA deems safe.

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