Presence of Dicyandiamide:

Laboratory certification, a must on imported milk powder

Chaminda Perera

Obtaining a certification from a reputed laboratory against the presence of Dicyandiamide (DCD) in imported milk powder has been made compulsory by the Food Advisory Committee which focused on the small amounts of Dicyandiamide traced in milk powder.

The Committee arrived at this decision after discussing the issue at length.

According to a Health Ministry spokesman, a sub committee has also been appointed to test the packeted milk powder available at food stalls to ascertain whether they contain Dicyandiamide susbstance.

DCD is a fertilizer that is sprayed on pastureland to prevent nitrogen reaching into streams and rivers.