The world became aware for the first time that melamine was used in powdered milk, infant formula, ice cream and yoghurt in China, after the deaths of four infants and after over 54,000 children were diagnosed with kidney failure and respiratory problems.

The use of melamine first used in pet foods was detected by the US Food & Drugs Authority following the deaths of over 8500 pets due to kidney failure in 2007.

This nitrogen based compound used in plastic software. It is now being used in food products to increase protein. For how long have the customers being fooled by these manufacturers?

It cannot be by accident that melamine has ended up in pet foods, infant formula, powdered milk, yoghurt, ice cream, biscuits and chocolates. We can only wonder how many other products must have melamine added to increase the protein content.

Some of these companies have won accolades for their their productivity and even for their standards. As anxious consumers wonder whether each item they buy has melamine or not, these companies should be brave enough to come out and admit that they have fooled us by including melamine in the foods they produce and sell. All these years their profits have been gained by deceit. The least now is that they should be truthful.

It is no surprise that people suddenly fall ill; doctors are unable to diagnose what is wrong. The vegetables we eat are full of insecticides and weedicides; poultry is injected with hormones, the fish preserved in formalin. And now all other food and dairy products contain melamine!

Shenali Waduge