December 10, 2013, Ottawa: As part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agencys (CFIA) routine testing of various food products, a targeted survey released today found no melamine in any of the samples of meat and seafood alternatives, meal replacements, protein powders and snack products.

The CFIA tested a total of 590 samples from grocery and specialty stores between April 2011 and March 2012. These samples included 175 meat alternatives, 21 seafood alternatives, 95 meal replacements such as powders, ready-to-drink shakes, 102 protein powders, and 197 snack products such as biscuits, cookies, crackers, and wafers. Melamine was not detected in any sample in this survey. Therefore, follow-up actions were not necessary.

Melamine is a synthetic chemical used in commercial and industrial applications. It does not occur naturally in the environment or in food, and it is not permitted for use in food. However, as a result of its industrial uses, it has the potential to be found in food at low levels.

Further information on this survey is available at www.inspection.gc.ca.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Media relations: 613-773-6600