FDA warns about instant coffee made in China

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators warned the public on Friday not to consume seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products that were made in China because of concerns they may be contaminated with melamine.

The Food and Drug Administration said the products were recalled by King Car Food Industrial Co Ltd "due to possible contamination with melamine."

Infant formula tainted with the industrial chemical has resulted in hospitalization for thousands of Chinese babies with painful kidney stones. Four have died.

Melamine, which can be used to cheat quality checks by mimicking food protein, also has been found in candy, buns and carton milk sold to other countries and regions, unleashing fear in markets already shaken by a string of "made-in-China" scandals last year.

As of Thursday, FDA testing of milk-based products imported into the United States from China had not found any melamine contamination, an agency statement said.

The coffee and tea products being recalled are:

-- Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

-- Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

-- Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

-- Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

-- Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)

-- Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)

-- Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

The products were manufactured by China's Shandong Duqing Inc, the FDA said.

The agency also warned consumers not to eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy after New Zealand authorities reported melamine contamination "at high levels." The maker has recalled its exports of the candies to more than 50 countries and stopped domestic sales in China.

The FDA urged retailers and food service operators to remove all of the products from sale or use.

The agency said it was not aware of any illnesses in the United States from the candy or the coffee and tea products.

(Editing by Andre Grenon)