Global Companies Hurt by Melamine Scare

(MoneyWatch)  Many of the news reports about Chinese food products tainted with the industrial chemical melamine make sure to mention that U.S. consumers are safe, since the United States doesn't import dairy products from China.

But that doesn't mean U.S. companies, along with companies around the world, are safe.

On Monday, the British candy maker Cadbury has recalled all of its Chinese-made candy products because of possible contamination.

Last week, the H.J. Heinz Co. said it had recalled several dozen cases of its Many Many Vegetable Cereal baby food in Hong Kong because trace amounts of melamine were found.

Yum Brands-owned Pizza Hut pulled packets of grated cheese from its restaurants after the product proved to have been tainted.

Also last week, the Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of some instant coffee and tea drinks that contained nondairy creamer made in China.

Even companies that haven't been directly affected are working feverishly to protect themselves from potential fallout. Starbucks has removed milk from stores in China, replacing it with soy milk. Kraft felt the need to issue statements that its Oreo cookies do not contain dairy ingredients from China. And McDonald's announced that the ice cream it sells in China does not contain melamine.