AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Monday

15 June 2009

7:30:00 PM
120541

Tainted milk sickens 6200 Chinese babies

Over 6,200 Chinese babies have fallen ill, 3 died, and another 150 have kidney failure after drinking milk powder tainted with a toxic chemical.

A dangerous chemical additive, melamine, has been found in samples of infant milk power taken from 22 Chinese dairy companies. The Chinese Government has admitted its dairy market is "chaotic" and has ordered a national testing program. Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertilizer. But in the past, Chinese farmers have admitted using the chemical to artificially inflate protein levels in feed or other agricultural products. Infants sickened by the tainted formula have developed kidney stones and other ailments. It is the second major case in recent years involving baby formula. In 2004, more than 200 Chinese infants suffered malnutrition and at least 12 died after being fed phony formula that contained no nutrients.