I REFER to the letter, "Info on spotting tainted products" (mypaper, Oct 3) by Ms Jane Ho.

Melamine is an industrial chemical which is not approved for use in food manufacture.

As it does not have any distinctive taste or smell, the presence of melamine in food can be detected only by laboratory analysis.

It is not possible for consumers to detect the presence of melamine in food.

We would like to reiterate that the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China since Sept 19.

Consumers are advised to read product labels to verify products' country of origin.

Anyone who finds suspended products still on sale should inform AVA immediately on 6325-7625.

Mr Goh Shih Yong
Assistant Director,
Corporate Communications
for Chief Executive Officer
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority

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