Melamine contamination in milk powder in Uruguay

Forty samples of milk powder purchased in Uruguay were analysed to assess melamine (MEL) levels. Trichloroacetic acid and acetonitrile were used to extract and precipitate milk proteins previously to clean up of the samples by solid-phase extraction and then were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ)of MEL were 0.006 and 0.019mg kg(-1), respectively. Milk was fortified with MEL at three levels, producing average recoveries higher than 83.8%. The values for positive samples ranged from 0.017 to 0.082mg kg(-1). Nine samples were positive. Three of them had concentrations between LOD and LOQ. The mean MEL contamination was 0.028mg kg(-1). Consumption of milk powder containing these levels of MEL does not constitute a health risk for consumers.