China baby milk banned by EU
European Union announces total ban on milk products for babies and young children imported from China
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Thursday, 25, Sep 2008 07:31
The European Union has announced a total ban on milk products for babies and young children imported from China.
China is still reeling from one of its largest-ever food contamination scandals after toxic chemical melamine was discovered in dairy products.
Four babies have died in the country while 53,000 children have fallen ill over the contamination.
Melamine, a banned chemical commonly found in plastics, can give food the appearance of being protein-rich but can cause kidney failure and death.
Although the practice of adding it to watered-down milk came to light via state media in the past month, reports have claimed major dairy companies covered up the scandal for years.
The EU today said all products from China containing more than 15 per cent milk powder would be tested, while random testing will be carried out on 15 per cent of products already on sale in the bloc.
Following the EU's move, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed that baby milk manufactured in China was already banned in the UK.
"The agency will continue to monitor the situation and take action in the UK if necessary," a spokesperson added.
"The agency is urging people of Chinese origin living in the UK to be careful not to use any milk or dairy products that they or family and friends may have brought back from China or Hong Kong for personal use.
"This advice is also provided in traditional and simplified Chinese at the links below."