The GOI has extended the ban on imports of milk and its products from China for one more year till June 2016. The notification has clearly said that the prohibition on import of milk and milk products (including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/ confectionery/ food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient) from China is extended for one more year, i.e., till June 23, 2016.
India had first imposed the ban in September 2008 due to presence of melamine, which is used for making plastics and fertilizer. India’s annual milk production is estimated at about 140 million tonnes. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk. Among Indian states, Uttar Pradesh continued to remain the leading milk producer, followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat.
What is Melamine?
- Melamine is an organic base and a trimer of cyanamide.
- Melamine is one of the major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics.
- Melamine and its salts are used as fire-retardant additives in paints, plastics, and paper.
Health Effects
- Melamine is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
- Chronic exposure may cause cancer or reproductive damage.
- It also causes Eye, skin and respiratory irritant.
- Ingestion of melamine may lead to reproductive damage, or bladder or kidney stones, which can lead to bladder cancer.
