A home test kit for detecting the presence or absence of melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine) has a sample extract container in which a volume of extract solution is present; a test strip, the test strip being a lateral flow device for detecting melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine) in a food or beverage sample; and wherein a food or beverage sample is placed in the sample extract container to form an aqueous sample extract solution and the test strip is inserted directly into the aqueous sample for an instructed time then the strip is removed and observed for a color change. The method of using the kit involves a visual observation without requiring any other equipment.