All samples of melamine-ware available in local food premises have been found to be safe for normal food use.
The Centre for Food Safety said tableware products made of melamine-formaldehyde resins, generally described as melamine-ware, are widely used around the world due to their durability, good chemical and heat resistance, and low cost.
To address public concern about the safety of these products, the centre recently conducted a study to examine the level of melamine and formaldehyde which may migrate from melamine-ware to food.
Melamine is of low acute toxicity and formaldehyde occurs naturally in the environment and can be found naturally in small amounts in a wide range of raw foods such as fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. The major safety concern is whether there is excessive migration of the melamine and formaldehyde from tableware made of melamine-formaldehyde resins.
Sixty-one melamine-ware samples were collected and tested between May 2009 and last February.
The level of both melamine and formaldehyde was below limits specified by the Mainland and Europe.
The centre said the samples tested would not pose a health risk with normal use.
When using melamine-ware, people should:
* observe and follow product specifications and instructions;
* cool hot deep-fried food before putting it on melamine-ware;
* not use melamine-ware with a broken or damaged surface;
* not heat or cook food in melamine-ware;
* not use melamine-ware in microwave or conventional ovens;
* not use melamine-ware to hold hot oil or highly acidic foods; and,
* not use abrasive detergent and cleaning tools or strong chemicals which might damage the surface while cleaning.
The centre also urged the food trade to obtain melamine-ware from reliable manufacturers and suppliers, and use melamine-ware of suitable quality to serve food to customers.
Details of the study are available here.
