BEIJING (Sept 16, 2008): The number of Chinese infants found
threatened by toxic milk powder is likely to rise as the search for
victims spreads, state media reported yesterday, as the government
faced growing public anger over the safety crisis.More than 1,200
children have been diagnosed with kidney illness after drinking
adulterated milk powder produced by the Sanlu Group.
Two infants have died and more than 50 are in a serious condition
from kidney stones caused by a banned chemical, melamine, added to raw
milk before processing in an apparent bid to fool inspectors.
“Their number could rise as the search for more infants fed Sanlu
milk food spreads across the country’s rural areas,” the China Daily
reported. “…The number could rise sharply in coming days as more
parents take their children for medical check-ups,” it added, citing
Health Minister Chen Zhu.
Melamine is rich in nitrogen, an element often used to measure protein, and so can be used to disguise diluted milk.
China is the world’s second biggest market for baby milk powder, and
Sanlu has been the top-selling company in the sector for 15 years, with
18.3% of sales in 2007.
Sanlu dominates in poorer rural areas, where farmer and migrant
workers often find milk powder is easier than breast-feeding, and
sometimes believe it is also healthier.
The central government has called the poisonings a “Level 1″ food
safety incident and formed an emergency team to grapple with the
fall-out, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
But public anger has grown over claims the company and officials failed to act sooner.
Sanlu, 43% owned by New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, last week halted
production after investigators announced they had found the problem.
Local Chinese officials acted last week only after the New Zealand
government contacted Beijing, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark
said on Monday. But according to Fonterra chief executive Andrew
Ferrier, Sanlu started its own recall from suppliers from Aug 2.
But last year, Sanlu was lauded by a Chinese state television programme, “Weekly Consumer Report”, as a model of good quality.
In past days, Chinese internet sites have filled with bitter
criticisms claiming the broadcaster was more interested in boosting
companies than protecting consumers.
“Weekly Consumer Report changes from an attacker of fake and sub-standard products into their protector,” said one. – Reuters
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