Melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine, CAS No. 108-78-1) is produced as a high volume chemical. It can be present in food as a result of uses in food contact materials, including articles made of melamine-formaldehyde plastics, can coatings, paper and board and adhesives. Melamine may also occur in food as a metabolite and degradation product of cyromazine, which is used as a plant protection product and as a veterinary drug, and potentially as a result of its use as a flame retardant. Depending on the purification process, melamine may contain different levels of the structurally related substances cyanuric acid, ammeline and ammelide. Cyanuric acid residues can also occur in food as a result of use of dichloroisocyanurates as a source of active chlorine in disinfection agents. Melamine and cyanuric acid can be present as impurities in urea-based feed for ruminants.
Regulatory Information
EU legislation
Contaminants Framework Regulation: Regulation No. 315/93/EEC, as amended
Maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuff are laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915, as amended
Increased Control Measures: For potentially applicable emergency measures and temporary increased controls please see the section on Imports.
National legislation
S.I. No. 218 of 2010 as amended (S.I. No. 276 of 2012, S.I. No. 348 of 2012, S.I. No. 380 of 2013, S.I. No. 143 of 2014, S.I. No. 329 of 2016, S.I. No. 377 of 2017)