GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3827
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH AUGUST, 2023
CONTAMINATION OF MELAMINE IN RICH DRY MILK
3827. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the uses of melamine materials in the country; 

(b) whether melamine material has been used to make dry milk containing rich protein and if so, the details thereof; 

(c) whether Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the use of dry milk containing melamine-rich protein in the country and if so, the details thereof; 

(d) whether the Government has conducted any study in respect of the harm caused by the use of melamine in the milk containing rich protein in the country; and 

(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (c): As informed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Melamine is a chemical compound that has a number of non-food industrial uses, including the production of laminates, glues, dinnerware, adhesives, moulding compounds, coatings and flame retardants. Melamine has no known food uses. However, melamine and its structural analogues can contaminate foods due to widespread non-food use of melamine as mentioned. FSSAI has specified maximum limits of melamine in foods, including infant foods and milk, to address the issue of incidental presence of melamine as a contaminant. 

(d) & (e): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that it has not carried out any study on harmful effects of melamine in the milk containing rich protein in the country.