Melamine found in Walgreens chocolate bars prompts a voluntary recall. An FDA analysis found that samples of the chocolate included with the teddy bear products were contaminated with the toxic industrial chemical melamine. In China, melamine tainted infant formula has killed 6 babies and sickened almost 300,000.
According to a press release posted on the FDA website, Walgreens is recalling 173 teddy bears with chocolate bars sold in stores since late September 2008. The recalled teddy bears are described as containing a nine-inch high “Dressy Teddy Bear” holding a four-ounce chocolate bar. The teddy bear’s UPC product number is 047475864485 and the product tag also includes item number 291332. Walgreens advised consumers who purchased the teddy bear to immediately return them to the Walgreens store of purchase for a full refund. All Walgreens stores have been advised to stop selling the teddy bears and chocolate. No reports of illness or injury related to this product have been reported.
For more information: Call the Walgreens Product Quality department at 847-315-2755, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST for more information.
According to the FDA website, melamine is a small, nitrogen-containing molecule that has a number of industrial uses, including as a binding agent, flame retardant, and as part of a polymer in the manufacture of cooking utensils and plates, plastic resins, and components of paper, paperboard, and industrial coatings. Melamine is not approved for direct addition to human or animal foods marketed in the United States.
Melamine also has been used as a fertilizer in some parts of the world. It is not registered for use as a fertilizer in the United States. Melamine-related compounds are in the same family of chemicals as melamine, and include cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide. (Melamine-related compounds are also known as melamine analogues.) Melamine and its related compounds have no approved use as direct ingredients in human or animal food in the United States.
