Abstract:

To explore pathways of melamine contamination in food, food chains contaminated by melamine without artificial addition tracked and detected. Our investigations indicated that melamine with different concentration levels was detected in the agricultural products and food resources that were related to contaminated food chains. In conclusion, the major pathways for melamine contamination in environment and food are due to the use of chemical products related to "cogeneration" technology of melamine, the application and metabolism of cyromazine and the migration of melamine from polymeric resin generated by melamine as raw materials. These investigations can provide a useful base for the development of scientific and rational control countermeasures for melamine contamination.

Key words: melamine, contamination pathways, control countermeasure