The China Syndrome: Australia Recalls Kirin Milk Tea

Food Standards Australia has issued its first consumer-level recall resulting from melamine contamination.

The agency announced this morning that Kaisi Australia Pty Ltd was recalling 340 mL cans of Kirin Milk Tea labeled with a Best Before date of OCT/06/2009. The tea is a product of China and is contaminated with melamine.

The Kirin Milk Tea was distributed in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Consumers should return the recalled product to the store for a full refund. 

Kirin Milk Tea is the fourth food item that has been withdrawn from sale in Australia due to melamine contamination, but the first to be subject to a consumer-level recall. White Rabbit Creamy Candy, Cadbury Eclairs, and Lotte Koala Biscuits also have been withdrawn from sale, but not recalled from consumers.

Australian consumers should check their food pantries and discard any of the three withdrawn items they may have. Under no circumstances should these foods be offered to children, or discarded in a way that children may find and eat them.