Just like how oxo-biodegradable plastics recently raised debates in the U.S., household items that contain melamine, such as tray and plates, have been in the spotlight in China, fueled by the long-lasting quibbling between two Beijing-based trade associations in the past couple of years.

A new round of debate started just before the Chinese New Year, as the International Food Packaging Association labeled melamine trays as potentially dangerous, which prompted a quick response from the China Plastics Processing Industry Association's subdivision of melamine plastic products.

In a news release, CPPIA said the criticism of melamine products is unfounded. "As long as the consumer follow the manufacturer's instruction -- such as avoid using melamine products in a microwave oven and avoid exposing them to high heat, these products are safe." The release called IFPA's warning "misleading."

IFPA, however, pointed out in a Dec 2009 research paper that the use of melamine is not its target of attack. The real problem lies in the widely available substandard "melamine" products in China. The manufacturers of these "fake melamine products" take short cuts by using cheaper urea-formaldehyde resin underneath a thin layer of melamine on the surface.

Even though the Chinese government has been trying to regulate melamine household products by requiring production approvals, the measures have yet shown real effects in fending off subpar products.

IFPA's warning to the public on melamine trays in general has some merit, but since the average consumer has no capacity to evaluate the quality, the warning could adversely affect those companies that make standard quality melamine products.