Chinese Soy Imports Banned At EU As A Precautionary Measure After Discovery Of Melamine In Soybean Meal In China

December 4, 2008 10:48 a.m. EST

Brussels, Belgium (AHN) - Soy-based imports from China intended for babies and young children will no longer be allowed throughout the 27-member European Union. The European Commission banned on Wednesday the entry of all foods that are soy-based after the discovery of melamine in a soybean meal in China.

Aside from the prohibition, the EC also required laboratory testing for all soy-related foods and shipments or baking powder. The tested food must contain less than 2.5 milligrams of melamine per kilogram to be allowed entry into the EU. The ban is expected to be in force by the end of this week.

The new regulation would affect about 68,000 tons of soy products shipped from China valued at $43 million.

The EC stressed the measure is a precautionary move even if it has not discovered any contaminated product from China within EU.