meLamINe

Melamine resin or melamine formaldehyde also shortened to melamine is a hard, thermosetting plastic material made from melamine and formaldehyde by polymerization. This plastic is often used in kitchen utensils and plates such as Melmac and is the main constituent of high-pressure laminates, such as Formica and Arborite, and of laminate flooring. Melamine-resin tile wall panels can also be used as whiteboards. Melamine resin often is used to saturate decorative papers that are directly laminated onto particle board; the resulting panel is often called melamine and commonly used in ready-to-assemble furniture and inexpensive kitchen cabinets.

In China, where adulteration has occurred, water has been added to raw milk to increase its volume. As a result of this dilution the milk has a lower protein concentration. Companies using the milk for further production e.g. of powdered infant formula normally check the protein level through a test measuring nitrogen content. The addition of melamine increases the nitrogen content of the milk and therefore its apparent protein content.

Addition of melamine into food is not approved by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius food standard commission, or by any national authorities.

In 2007, melamine was found in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate exported from China and used in the manufacture of pet food in the United States. This caused the death of a large number of dogs and cats due to kidney failure.

In the present event, melamine contamination has been found in a number of different brands of powdered infant formula, in one brand of a frozen yogurt dessert and in one brand of canned coffee drink. All these products were most probably manufactured using ingredients made from melamine-contaminated milk.

Melamine alone causes bladder stones in animal tests. When combined with cyanuric acid, which may also be present in melamine powder, melamine can form crystals that can give rise to kidney stones.

These small crystals can also block the small tubes in the kidney potentially stopping the production of urine, causing kidney failure and, in some cases, death. Melamine has also been shown to have carcinogenic effects in animals in certain circumstances, but there is insufficient evidence to make a judgment on carcinogenic risk in humans.The symptoms and signs of melamine poisoning, Irritability, blood in urine, little or no urine, signs of kidney infection, high blood pressure.

Because of the issue, food companies around the globe are rushing to assess their products and in some cases setting new strategies to prevent problems.

foOd waSte recycLe

Food waste, kitchen waste, or garbage is any form of waste derived from food materials. It typically consists of vegetable peelings, meat scraps, excess or spoiled prepared food, and other discards from domestic or commercial kitchens

 

Recycling is an effective way to cut down on the use of these limited resources as well as saving energy.

 

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Food waste accounts for 24% of household. Recycling, the council can avoid potentially huge financial penalties in the coming years for sending biodegradable waste to landfill. If this do not take action now, these fines could run into the millions by 2010.

Biodegradable food waste including:

• cooked and raw food
• meat and fish (including bones)
  vegetable and fruit peelings, egg shells (if you cannot compost at home)
• dairy products (for example cheese and yoghurt)
• tea bags and coffee grounds
• newspaper to wrap food waste

Cannot use the food waste bin for:

• pet litter or faeces
• any kind of packaging
• plastic bags
• other general waste

 

When organic waste is deposited in landfill it biodegrades and has serious environmental consequences. For example:

• Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere, which significantly contributes to global warming.
• A liquid leachate is also produced that can pollute groundwater and water courses, damaging the plants and animals that live there.

Disposing of waste via landfill is unsustainable and space is running out.Like other waste, food waste can be dumped or incinerated. But food waste can also be fed to animals, typically swine; or it can be biodegraded by composting or anaerobic digestion, and reused to enrich soil. Dumping food waste in a landfill causes environmental damage. By volume, it is the largest contributor to methane gas production. It causes odour as it decomposes, attracts flies and vermin, and has the highest potential to add Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) to the leachate. The EU Landfill Directive and Waste Regulations, like regulations in other countries, enjoin diverting organic wastes away from landfill disposal for these reasons. Food waste can be composted at home, avoiding central collection entirely, and many local authorities have schemes to provide subsidised composting bin systems.

 

EdibLe tapiOca pLate

Incorporated in February 2004, NHI is poised to embark on its maiden project to commercialise a Malaysian Patent for manufacturing environmental friendly, disposable and fully biodegradable tapioca (cassava plant) based food/beverage serving containers and customised packaging materials using natural polymer technology. NHI Sdn Bhd’s managing director P. Ramaness said the biodegradable plates were the only product of its kind in the country.

The environmental friendly packaging solutions based on a patented natural polymer technology that utilises tapioca starch. Superior in terms of design and durability, our biodegradable products are alternatives to conventional synthetic polymer based packaging.The plate, which has a shelf life of two years, is made from tapioca and is so environmentally friendly that it is actually edible.

The plate is made of tapioca and it will biodegrade in 28 days. It is durable enough that it is microwave-safe and can store liquids for about an hour. Almost three years to research and to produce it and it as an alternative to polystyrene which is not environmentally friendly as it takes a very long time to biodegrade.

The product has been tested safe, that it can be eaten by fishes, while also becoming a form of fertilizer when it biodegrades.

Company would also be producing other biodegradable products such as cups, bowls and food wrappers, adding that each biodegradable plate is sold at 35 sen per piece. The products are suitable for all fast food, food retail, takeaways and other food based applications.

The key properties of the products are listed below:

·        Made from tapioca starch

·        Fully biodegradable & recyclable through composting

·        Food Grade

·        Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Free

·        Microwave-able up to 100° Celsius

·        Retains liquid heat up to 180° Celsius

 

In addition to significant economical benefits, the products come with significant environmental advantages which include but not limited to:

 

• Made from 100% natural materials
• Strong
• Edible by fish and animals
• Long shelf life
• More environmental friendly than polystyrene
• Made from renewable source of raw materials that are locally abundant (tapioca or cassava plant)
• Durable in terms of design & insulation properties
• Allows for a wide variety of colours & graphics
• Requires less energy in production