Some Gourmet Hot Cocoa Products Tainted with Melamine

Another food product sold in the U.S. is being recalled because of melamine contamination.

Dorsey Marketing Inc. of Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, is voluntarily recalling the following three G&J Gourmet Market cocoa products because these products may contain melamine, according to the Food and Drug Administration:

1. G&J Hot Cocoa Stuffer Item 120144 (UPC 061361201444). This hot cocoa product was sold in small green and blue boxes with a backer card, candy cane and marshmallows.

2. G&J His and Hers Hot Cocoa Set Item 120129 (UPC 489702201296). This cocoa product was sold with 2 ceramic mugs in a brown box.

3. G&J Cocoa item 120126, sold in 2 flavors: French Vanilla Cocoa and Double Chocolate Cocoa
   

   • G&J French Vanilla Cocoa (UPC 061361201260). This product was sold in a small green bag with a whisk attached.
   • G&J Double Chocolate Cocoa (UPC 061361201260). This product was sold in a small pink bag with a whisk attached.

According to the FDA:

"No injuries have been reported and only a few samples have, in fact, been found to include melamine. However, DMI is proceeding with this recall in the interest of public health and the safety of American consumers.

"The above recalled products were imported into the United States by DMI and distributed nationwide to retailer Big Lots during the weeks of September 22, 2008 and September 29, 2008 and to retailer Shopko during the week of October 10, 2008.

Consumers who purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Tim Acheson of DMI Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST toll free at 1-888-645-1053 or email recall@dmi-global.com."

The recall is the latest food contamination event involving the industrial chemical melamine. Last week, Wonderfarm recalled several biscuit products because they may be tainted with 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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