Number of sick babies jumps in China milk scandal

BEIJING, Sept 13, 2008 (AFP)

The number of babies and infants reported sick after being fed contaminated milk powder in China jumped Saturday as the government vowed severe punishment for those responsible.

After health departments were ordered Friday to report all cases of babies suffering kidney stones from drinking Sanlu brand milk powder, 25 were reported in Beijing and another 22 in Shanghai.

Another 35 were cited in central Hunan province, while 13 came to light in neighboring Hubei, provincial health bureaus and state media reports said, as the latest scandal to rock China’s food industry deepened.

The health ministry late Friday said an initial investigation confirmed the milk powder tainted with the industrial chemical melamine was responsible for the spate of kidney problems in babies nationwide.

Investigators also found the producer of the formula, the Sanlu Group, knew the milk was contaminated in August, but did not release the information until after reports of sick babies emerged this week, the ministry said.

“Those responsible for the contaminated milk will face severe punishment,” the ministry said.

Chinese state media condemned Sanlu, with the China Daily in an editorial Saturday calling the behaviour of the company “appalling.”

The newspaper also sharply criticised government inspectors who it said had become aware of a possible problem as early as June.

The spike in the number of reported sick children comes two days after 59 babies in Gansu province alone were reported suffering from kidney stones resulting in at least one death.

Xinhua news agency said a similar number of sick babies may still be reported in at least five other provinces and regions.

As on Wednesday, the company had recalled 8,210 tonnes of milk powder and by Friday still needed to recall 700 tonnes still on the market, the China Daily said, citing a company report.

Shops across China including global retailing giants Wal-Mart and Carrefour pulled the milk powder from shelves Friday after the recall was issued.

The health ministry has also issued guidelines on how to treat infants suffering from kidney stones.

The affair has had repercussions overseas, with the US Food and Drug Administration reportedly alerting US markets to beware of Chinese-made baby formula.

The World Health Organisation said it was monitoring the situation and providing “technical assistance” to the Chinese authorities in their probe, although it was not clear if any of the suspect powder has been exported.

Media reports said dairy farmers were suspected of lacing milk used in the Sanlu brand formula with melamine to boost its protein content.

Melamine, a chemical used in making plastics, glues and other products, was at the centre of a US recall of pet foods containing Chinese-made additives last year.

China has in recent years endured a series of high-profile safety scandals over its food and other products sold overseas as well as domestically. Xinhua news agency said 78 “suspects” had been summoned for questioning in the case by police in Shijiazhuang, a city near Beijing where Sanlu is based.

They include dairy farmers and milk dealers, it reported.

The company’s public relations office did not answer phone calls again Saturday, while no apologies were posted on its website.