The scope of the contaminated Chinese infant formula scandal has widened to include milk-derived ingredients. Some of these ingredients may have entered the United States for use in processed foods. Please ask the Food and Drug Administration to stop the import of dairy ingredients from China until this situation is under control.

While the U.S. doesn't import fluid milk or infant formula from China, we do import milk-derived ingredients that are used in many processed foods such as cookies and chocolates. According to USDA figures, this year the U.S. has imported two million pounds of casein and other powdered milk proteins from China.  This includes 293,000 pounds that were imported in July, when some Chinese authorities were aware of the melamine contamination yet failed to act.

In order to protect their citizens, dozens of nations around the world are banning all dairy products from China. Please ask FDA Commissioner von Eschenbach to take similar proactive measures to protect American consumers.