Rats in a lab were fed straight melanine. They did not get sick, they did not die. Chinese companies have admitted that melamine has been added to feed products for quite some time, so it's probably safe to assume our pets have been consuming it for a long time. So what is different now. What made all the pets ill/die recently. What has changed? Could it be a new, improved product with a different formula that did a better job to boost the protein values?
From the FDA's website regarding the import alert:
IA #99-29, 4/27/07, IMPORT ALERT #99-29, "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION OF ALL VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS FROM CHINA FOR ANIMAL OR HUMAN
FOOD USE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF MELAMINE AND/OR MELAMINE ANALOGS"The samples of vegetable proteins that have tested positive for the presence of melamine and melamine analogs have, thus far, been traced to two Chinese firms, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. Ltd.....Maybe something like this?? Xuzhou's "latest" product?
http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/11740000/Esb_Protein_Powder.html"The latest product esb protein powder which is researched and developed by xuzhou anying biologic technology development Co., ltd. Contains protein 160% -300% , which solves the problem for shortage of protein resource."