The latest discovery of melamine has also been found in the imported rice protein ingredients used in some pet foods that have caused contamination to pets consuming these foods. Previously the contamination was found in imported wheat gluten.
Specialist at the FDA's headquarters and another eight district offices of the FDA are continuing to investigate the incidents and causes. Inspections and samples are being taken.
The original source of this rice protein product has now been identified and traced to the Binzhou Futian Biological Technology company in China.
The latest national investigations have traced a total of eight imports from China dating back to July 2006.
Distributions to a total of five pet food manufacturers within seven locations in the U.S. have also been identified.
Voluntary recalls continue to take place by several manufacturers who have discovered the contaminated pet foods. The FDA expects manufacturers to continue initiating their voluntary recalls to remove these products from the store shelves.
A related issue has been found in the salvaged pet food that was fed to pigs at a hog farm in California. The farm has placed a quarantine on these pigs, which were found to have the melamine chemical in their urine.
"At this point in the investigation, evidence suggests a minimal health risk to persons who have consumed pork purchased from these facilities over this timeframe [after April 3]," said California State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton.
Public information will be shared as soon as additional information is obtained, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which can be found at their website at www.cdfa.cal.gov .
For a detailed list of pet food recalls, see the FDA's website at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall , which will be continually updated as new information is received.
