Melamine Contaminates Fish Food
Fish Feed Tainted with High Levels of Dangerous Chemical
It was reported in mid-November 2008 that melamine was found in some fish food coming out of China. Melamine is a toxic chemical that was at the center of the massive milk contamination scandal in China in September 2008. Melamine is also the chemical responsible for the largest pet food recall in United States history after it was found in pet food at United States retailers in 2007.
High Levels of Melamine in Fish Food
The fish food that triggered concerns in November 2008 was imported from Fujian Province in southern China. Inspectors testing imported fish feed in Hong Kong found 6.6 parts per million of melamine in the feed. The acceptable level of melamine in the United States is 2.5 parts per million. The fish food in question was destined for commercial fish farms, not the pet food market.
What is Melamine?
Melamine is sometimes added to pet foods because it makes the food appear higher in protein. It is also used as a cheap, albeit dangerous, feed substitute in some areas.
Pet Industry Aquarium Fish Food Voluntary Recalls
There is no evidence that aquarium fish food has been contaminated. In 2007, when the Food and Drug Administration announced that melamine was identified in fish feed used at the Marion Forks Hatchery in Oregon, some suppliers voluntarily removed their products from the market. For example, Sergeant's Pet Care Products stated in a press release that it voluntarily removed ornamental fish food products from retail store shelves. The press release stated:
A portion of the production lots of Atlantis® Goldfish Flake Food and Atlantis® Tropical Fish Flake Food have been found to contain the contaminant, melamine. Atlantis Goldfish Flake Food and Atlantis Tropical Fish Flake Food are products that are formulated specifically for the feeding of ornamental fish, such as a goldfish and Neon tetra. Atlantis fish food is not formulated for the feeding of fish intended for human consumption.
“Uncertain Nature of the Effect of Melamine”
At the time of the voluntary recall, Robert Scharf, president of Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Inc., said, “Given the uncertain nature of the effect of melamine, the high visibility of this ingredient at this time and Sergeant’s concern for the health and well-being of pets, we believe that removal of the Atlantis product from store shelves is the right thing to do.”
Buyers Should Use Caution When Purchasing Food for All Pets
No recalls of aquarium fish food occurred directly following the November 2008 incident, but some consumers believe that “buyer beware” is the best advice to follow until all the talk of melamine in food for both human and pet consumption leaves the news.
Marine Aquarium Fish Food in Danger?
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