Economy

China finds fresh trade in toxic milk powder

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-07-09 10:58

BEIJING: Chinese authorities have seized 38 tons of milk powder laced with a toxic additive that killed children and sparked a nationwide uproar in 2008, official media reported.

Samples of milk powder found in northwest China's Gansu and Qinghai provinces had levels of the chemical melamine up to 500 times beyond the permitted limit, and suspected tainted powder has also turned up in the country's northeast, said the report from the Xinhua news agency on Friday.

Related readings:  Contaminated milk powder producers arrested  China tightens fight against tainted milk products  Food safety under fire  Melamine targeted in local food courts, restaurants

The Xinhua report did not mention any deaths or illnesses blamed on the latest batches of toxic dairy products.

"The authorities have demanded strict investigations and punishment and the preventing of any problem milk powder entering the market," it said.

Police traced tainted milk powder discovered in Gansu province to a dairy factory in neighboring Qinghai province. The company had bought the powder from elsewhere and kept it in a village near the factory. Officials seized 38 tons of "problem milk powder," said Xinhua.

"Tests showed levels of melamine 500 times above the accepted level," said the report.

Traders had bought the tainted milk from Hebei province, possibly buying up batches supposed to have been destroyed after the 2008 scandal, said Xinhua.

Melamine can cause kidney stones, and is used to make plastics, fertilizers and concrete. Its high nitrogen content allows protein levels to appear higher when added to milk or animal feed, allowing traders to disguise substandard products.