A group of scientists from Purdue University have discovered a faster way to detect melamine levels by utilizing infrared spectroscopy in laboratory tests, according to a  report  in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry .

The Food and Drug Administration currently utilizes a time-consuming analysis to detect melamine levels, so researchers have been trying to find a more efficient way to spot melamine contamination.

Last year and in 2007,  cases of melamine contamination  emerged from Chinese-produced infant formula and pet food, due to its properties as a cheap but illegal substitute for protein.