China milk contamination 'covered up for months'
True extent of China milk contamination scandal becomes apparent after authorities admit 53,000 children have fallen ill
Also In The News
|
A goal from Salomon Kalou ten minutes from time gave Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. |  |
Monday, 22, Sep 2008 03:15
The dairy company at the heart of widespread milk contamination in China covered up the scandal for months, state media has reported.
The Xinhua news agency said an official investigation had exposed part government-owned Sanlu's knowledge of the poisoning.
"China's dairy giant Sanlu covered up for months the contamination of its baby formula products, which has sickened tens of thousands of infants," Xinhua said on Monday.
The head of China's quality watchdog, whose ministry is responsible for ensuring the country's food supply, resigned today over the scandal, which has led to the deaths of four babies.
The true extent of the milk contamination become apparent on Monday after authorities admitted almost 53,000 children had fallen ill as a result.
Hundreds of thousands of litres of milk have been removed across China after toxic chemical melamine was found in milk products.
The Chinese government, which said on Friday that ten per cent of supplies could be contaminated, said of the 52,857 children who required hospitalisation 12,892 were still being treated.
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, earlier reports said it had been taking place for years.
In response to the World Health Organisation claims the Chinese government has vowed to hold those responsible to account.
"The public is worried, doctors are worried, and we're also worried," said Chinese premier Wen Jiabao after a visit to victims in a Beijing hospital.
"The most crucial point is that after a clean-up there can be no problems at all with newly produced milk products. If there are fresh problems, they must be even more sternly punished under the law."