Australian Dairy Products Do Not Contain Melamine

Recent claims by the Indonesian based consumer group, YLKI, that an Australian dairy brand produced in New Zealand contains melamine are not backed up by the facts said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Mr Bill Farmer today.

Melamine has never been detected in milk that has been produced in Australia or sourced for an Australian branded product above the maximum residue levels dictated by internationally accepted standards.

“The product YLKI named has been recently and repeatedly tested and is free of melamine,” said Ambassador Farmer.

Rigorous testing of Australian dairy products from dairy farm to processing factories ensures Australia’s dairy products are free from dangerous levels of contaminants, including melamine.

Australian dairy products must meet Australian food safety requirements specified in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The domestic and export dairy systems also include industry and government measures to ensure their products meet relevant public health requirements, including monitoring fraudulent addition of chemicals such as melamine.

Due to the worldwide focus on melamine, Australia has also instigated a special government-supervised testing program to verify the effectiveness of the food safety system for ensuring melamine contamination is not occurring in Australia.

Over 8,000 tests are performed every day on milk supplied from Australian dairy farms. No evidence of adulterated milk has ever been reported from this testing. Furthermore, following the announcement of milk contamination in China, Australian industry tested over 200 samples of milk and milk products and has not detected melamine in any products. The results of this additional verification confirm appropriate systems and regulations are in place in Australia to assure the quality, safety and integrity of Australian dairy products.

“We remain confident of dairy products produced under Australian brands. I am eager to have the issue resolved as soon as possible to remove any confusion among Indonesian consumers,” said Mr Farmer.

Further information:
Jenny Dee (Counsellor Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2553 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175