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Chinese state television reported yesterday that an industrial contaminant was found in samples from more than 20 companies that manufacture baby milk powder. One of these companies exported its formula to Bangladesh, Myanmar and Yemen, according to the Associated Press; tainted powder may also have entered Gabon and Burundi. Chinese officials launched a probe of 175 baby-formula makers last week, after more than 6,000 babies fed the stuff became ill and three infants died.

The Food and Drug Administration says it's unlikely that any of the poisoned baby formula is on U.S. stores shelves. "There is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell infant formula in the United States," it said in a statement. But the agency added that officials were investigating further to make sure that it was not being sold in " specialty markets which serve [the U.S.'s] Asian community."

The Chinese government dispatched 5,000 inspectors to check the safety of dairy products nationwide, the BBC reports. The country's cabinet in a statement blamed the incident  on "chaotic industry conditions and loopholes in the supervision and management of the industry."

The toxic substance: melamine, which was found in pet food (exported to the U.S. and Canada from China last year) that sickened thousands and killed hundreds of dogs and cats that ate it. Melamine is a nitrogen-based compound used in industrial and commercial plastics. The chemical can cause kidney damage; according to the London-based Telegraph, 160 babies are now suffering from acute kidney failure.

The first company found to have contaminated baby formula, Sanlu Group Co., says that one of its raw milk suppliers apparently used the chemical to give the product an artificially high protein content.

In a statement read to the press on Monday, Sanlu vice president Zhang Zhenling said, "The serious safety accident of the Sanlu formula milk powder for infants has caused severe harm to many sickened babies and their families. We feel really sad about this."

Reports say officials discovered last Monday that Sanlu first found melamine in its powder in early-August, some five months after consumers began complaining. (The first recognized victim of the contaminated milk, a five-month-old boy, died on May 1.) A Forbes.com report says the government may have covered up the scandal to avoid bad press during last month's Olympic games.

According to Xinhua, China's state news agency, the probe may turn up tainted products other than milk powder. A Hong Kong-based supermarket chain pulled everything made by Yili AB Foods of Shanghai—including ice cream--when melamine was found in one of its product samples.

The BBC reported that Chinese Health Minister Gao Qiang said the contaminated milk from Sanlu had only been distributed in China and Hong Kong. Six people have been arrested and at least 20 more are being questioned in connection with the poisonings.

(Credit: iStockphoto/Donna Coleman)

4 Comments

1. 1. OldGrampa 03:49 PM 9/17/08

   1. Another reason why babies need to be fed from the breast,
   and not from "formula".
   
   2. Maybe the Chinese gov't can apply some of their "quicker justice" to the producers of the "tainted" formula.
   
   3. Capitalism without government restraints can lead to greedy troubles.
   

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2. 2. peony 06:21 PM 9/17/08

   breastmilk is best, but unless you know the circumstances of why people use formula in China(many women are required to return to work very shortyly after giving birth and dont have access or means to pump)...my daughter was exposed in an orphanage environment prior to her adoption..this is shameful but not surprising. China needs to make massive ethical changes in policy and guidelines to keep up with the huge economic explosion they are experiencing. A quick buck is easier when their are less rules and regs than 'developed nations'.
   
   next time you are at the supermarket, flip the packet over, you'd be surprised how many food items are grown, processed and packaged in China. Thankfully our family is organic, locally grown supporters, but that doesnt stop the fact that my daughter may have had serious exposure to this chemical in her first few months.
   

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3. 3. scientific earthling 08:40 PM 9/17/08

   Earlier one uneducated chemical supplier replaced glycerine with poly ethylene glycol and sold it as medicinal grade. Now someone decides melamine is a protein substitute!
   What cost one man's financial gain?

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4. 4. Bill 02:26 PM 9/18/08

   Yet another reason NOT to buy from China

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