Infant formula scandal sours faith in Chinese products

Chinese authorities have found the industrial chemical melamine in baby milk made by almost two-dozen producers. This suggests the nation's problems with toxic infant formula extends well beyond products produced by Hebei province-based Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group Co., the nation's leading producer of powdered milk and the initial target of the probe (Beijing's State Council said that the company received complaints of contamination as early as December 2007 but failed to act on them). Sanlu was 43%-owned by New Zealand-based Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd., the world's largest dairy exporter, until Wednesday, when Fonterra chief Andrew Ferrier announced the company was cutting its stake in Sanlu by nearly 70%.

Government investigators since have found that 69 batches of formula (as well milk and yogurt) made by some of China's best-known producers including Mengniu Dairy, the nation's largest milk company, were contaminated with the chemical, according to a statement by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), the Chinese agency that monitors food and product safety. (Melamine, which is normally used in nonfood products, was found in tainted pet food exported from China to the United States last year.)

China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday that an estimated 54,000 babies have been sickened by the tainted formula. Close to 13,000 are still hospitalized, including 104 who are in serious condition. So far, four infants have died as a result of acute kidney failure after drinking the bad milk. The news prompted the resignation of Li Changjiang, the once well-respected head of the AQSIQ. Following a wave of product safety scandals involving lead-laden toys, toxic seafood, bad toothpaste, watered-down jet fuel, inferior tires and other faulty products, the agency became the target of increased . . .

For access to the full article, you must be a registered member - it's FREE.

Already a member? Please log in below