The Center for Food Safety of Hong Kong (CFS) released on Saturday the latest batch of results of melamine tests on dairy products and baby food.

Three samples of biscuit and a sample of milk biscuit were found unsatisfactory.

Among 145 samples tested, including cakes, bread, milk and milk beverages produced locally; Chinese mainland frozen confections, raw milk, milk and milk beverages; coffee creamer produced on the mainland and overseas; and milk powder and baby food from overseas,141 were satisfactory.

But Lotte Koala Strawberry Biscuit, Lotte Koala's March Chocolate Biscuit and Lotte Koala Biscuit were found with a melamine level of 3ppm detected.

In addition, a sample of milk biscuit was found unsatisfactory with a melamine level of 3ppm. The sample was collected by the CFS following up with public's food complaint.

Under the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2008 which took effect on September 23, the legal limit for melamine in the above biscuits and milk biscuit is 2.5ppm.

"Based on the levels detected, the public is advised to stop consuming the products concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"We have already informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the products concerned. We have also sent warning letters to the retailers and importers concerned, and the importers will recall the affected products. The CFS will takeout prosecution if there is sufficient evidence," he added.

Up till now, CFS have test a total of 66 infant formula and all were satisfactory. In addition, of the 45 baby food samples tested, 44 were satisfactory and the unsatisfactory sample was announced on Saturday.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to collect baby food, other dairy products and products with dairy ingredients for testing," the spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2008)