China baby milk scandal revives food safety fears
China is facing new questions about the safety of its food products today amid the growing scandal of contaminated milk formula that has killed three babies and poisoned thousands.
One in five dairy companies tested nationwide have sold products containing the chemical melamine.
Suppliers are believed to have added the banned substance, normally used in plastics, to watered-down milk to make it appear higher in protein.
It is the latest in a series of food scares in recent years that have included contaminated seafood, toothpaste and pet food exports.
Melamine was at the centre of a major pet food scandal in the United States last year when 1,500 dogs and cats died after ingesting a pet food ingredient manufactured in China laced with it.
In a sign of the government’s concern, Premier Wen Jiabao called a meeting of China’s Cabinet today to back plans for a national inspection of milk products to rectify the problems in the dairy industry, according to a notice on the government’s Web site.
Health Minister Chen Zhu announced that 6,244 babies fell ill after being fed milk formula, and that 158 were suffering from acute kidney failure. Chen reported the death of a third baby in eastern Zhejiang province but gave no details. The two earlier deaths had been reported in Gansu province.
Chen said he expects the numbers to increase as “more and more parents take kids to the hospital.” Currently, 1,327 children, mostly newborn, remain in hospital.
So far, all the sick infants were found to have consumed milk powder produced by the company at the heart of the crisis, Sanlu Group.
A company executive and four milk suppliers have been arrested.
China is also seeking more information after Hong Kong food inspectors ordered the recall of an ice cream bar because melamine was found.
It is the second major case in recent years involving baby formula. In 2004, more than 200 Chinese infants suffered malnutrition and at least 12 died after being fed fake formula that contained no nutrients.
