Ala. Agriculture Commissioner Warns About Contaminated Cookies

By Lynne Jones

Published: October 15, 2008

Alabama’s Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks warned consumers Wednesday about contaminated cookies. 

The Department’s Pesticide Residue Laboratory tested “Koala’s March” crème filled cookies which are manufactured in China.  Testing uncovered the presence of melamine in the ‘strawberry’ and ‘chocolate’ flavored cookies.  Consumers are advised not to eat the cookies, and to discard them.

In a press release, the Commissioner’s office stated other flavors of the cookies which may have been on the market, had not been tested by the Department.  Lotte USA, which distributes the cookies, tells Alabama’s Agriculture Department, Alabama lab was the first to show positive results for melamine.  The company has been conducting a withdrawal of the cookies, but not a complete recall.

“This is another example of how important the state diagnostic labs are to us here in Alabama,” said Sparks.  “We take food safety issues very seriously and we will continue to work hard to protect consumers.”

Melamine has recently been linked to contaminated infant formula and other products containing milk protein in China and the massive pet food recalls in 2007.  The chemical is used in plastics manufacturing and as an illegal additive in foods to simulate protein. 

For more information about “Koala’s March” cookies, consumers can call Lotte USA at 269-963-6664. 

To check on products recently recalled in Alabama visit http://www.agi.alabama.gov and look under “Product Recalls.”