CHINA:CHINA HAS launched a nationwide investigation of all baby milk powders after one child died and scores of infants developed kidney stones because of contaminated baby formula milk. The government promised harsh punishment if any irregularities were found.
The story has caused a huge outcry in China, where there are lingering memories of 2004, when at least 13 babies in eastern Anhui province died after drinking fake milk powder that investigators found had no nutritional value.
The scandal rocked the country and triggered widespread investigations into food safety.
Thousands of infants are believed to have taken the formula, which reportedly contains melamine, a chemical used in in the manufacture of plastics, fertilisers and cleaning products. The contaminant was linked to the deaths and illness of thousands of pets in the US last year.
One baby died in the northwest province of Gansu from kidney stones, a rare complaint in infants, and more than 50 others developed kidney stones there and in other provinces this year.
It is the latest in a series of safety incidents in China over tainted toothpaste, toys, seafood and other products that have been blamed for deaths and injuries.
Investigations showed that most of the babies had drunk Sanlu-brand formula, state media reported.
The Sanlu Group, a dairy producer based in Hebei province that is partly owned by a New Zealand company, has ordered an immediate recall of milk formula made before August 6th, saying about 700 tonnes of melamine-contaminated powder were in circulation.
Sanlu, based in Shijiazhuang, southwest of Beijing, is China's biggest producer of milk powder, with 18 per cent of the market. The company says it produces 6,800 tonnes of milk per day.
Nitrogen-rich melamine has been used by Chinese animal feed manufacturers to boost protein content.
Vets attributed to melamine the formation of kidney stones and onset of kidney failure in thousands of pets in the US last year.
China's quality control watchdog is taking no chances and has launched an investigation of all baby milk producers.