ITI rejects Fonterra charges

8 August 2013 02:15 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) today categorically rejected the statement made by Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd that it (ITI) has no facility to test DCD (Dicyandamide) or Melamine in milk food.

Issuing a statement the ITI said, “ If ITI can be supported with so called advance techniques used in the laboratories in Thailand it will only ease the ITI’s rate of testing and the ability to test extremely low levels of DCD in milk.”

The statement:

Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) has the facility test DCD (Dicyandamide) or Melamine in milk food and although the scientific equipment called HPLC was available at ITI laboratories at the time when the news first broke on DCD in New Zealand milk the method of analysis for DCD was not available the Ministry of Technology & Research said.

The required internationally accepted method of detection was established immediately by acquiring the necessary DCD standards and internationally used accessory for HPLC. ITI currently has several units of this equipment and the institution is ready for routine analysis of milk powder for both DCD & Melamine.

The world has only two methods to test DCD. UV Visible Spectroscopy coupled LC (HPLC-UV/Vis) or Mass Spectroscopy coupled LC (LC-MS or LC-MSMS). Any laboratory in the world has to use one of the two methods. In both the methods same chromatographic system (LC system) called HPLC is used. Only difference in the two methods is the type of detector used. In the case of ITI method UV Visible Spectroscopy was used as the detector.

Therefore, ITI categorically reject the statement that ITI has no facility to test DCD. If ITI can be supported with so called advance techniques used in the laboratories in Thailand it will only ease the ITI’s rate of testing and the ability to test extremely low levels of DCD in milk.

On January 25th, 2013 the Government of NZ announced the two fertilizer companies who sold the product had voluntarily withdrawn it from the market. Despite assurances the contaminant at the levels found, is not a food safety risk, trade to some destinations has been temporarily disrupted. In the long term the issue is unlikely to harm trade of New Zealand dairy products. On Mar 5th, 2013 the Global Dairy Trade auction averaged price gains of 10.4% over all products which suggests that the majority of players in the Oceania market have put the issue behind them.

Government of New Zeland Moves to Re-assure Markets that Milk is Safe After Dicyandiamide (DCD) is Found in Trace Amounts in Some New Zealand Dairy Exports.(OJ)

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Comments - 8

ANTON Thursday, 08 August 2013 02:53 PM

I HAVE LONG EXPERIENCE WITH ITI, IT IS NOT ITI IT IS MATI.

ANTON Thursday, 08 August 2013 03:26 PM

THANK YOU DM IT IS EXACTLY TRUE.

Sarath Gunatunga Thursday, 08 August 2013 04:08 PM

It is commented even in NZ media that Fonterra has an attitude of arrogance. While I do not know the current technological advances in Sri Lanka I congratulate you for standing firm on this issue.

kasun Thursday, 08 August 2013 04:56 PM

Fontera CEO went to China to apologise for Botulism bacteria but they try to deny DCD here

prassu Thursday, 08 August 2013 05:26 PM

I have to admit with some experience with HPLC and LCMS systems.... the Hplc is not popularly used nowadays for any components: drugs or chemicals.... It is a dinosaur when compared to the LCMS which is used the world over except Sri Lanka as our country tends to stick to the old ways and never bother upgrading skills or knowledge (people and equipment) alike . cheers

Ramzi Thursday, 08 August 2013 05:45 PM

In the ITI Report, they clearly state in the conclusion that "The accuracy of the test method cannot be determined due to unavailability of certified reference material (CRM) for DCD"
So the ITI themselves are accepting that their test method of HPLC is incorrect in testing for DCD
I don't understand why Fonterra has taken such a long time to reply to this inaccurate ITI report

Gladys Friday, 09 August 2013 01:23 AM

And I wonder how ITI can detect low levels of DCD when they themselves say that they do not have LCMS testing facility...I do not want to test anything with ITI hereafter...

Saman Friday, 09 August 2013 08:33 AM

Sri Lanka's lab says DCD, Thai lab says no DCD, which is correct? Sorry to say this, l will believe Thai lab any day

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ITI rejects Fonterra charges

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