China

Fears grow around world

Fears are mounting around the globe about the safety of Chinese dairy products, with bans and recalls in place in several countries.

Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Bangladesh, Gabon, Burundi and the Philippines are some of the countries testing Chinese dairy products or pulling them from shelves altogether.

Hong Kong health officials urged parents to take children to hospital if they see traces of blood in their urine or if the children cry excessively for no apparent reason.

On Monday, Taiwan's government set up a milk-testing station in Taipei for concerned consumers.

Singapore and Malaysia have banned Chinese dairy imports, while Gabon and Burundi have put curbs on Chinese milk product sales.

Japan's top government spokesperson, Nobutaka Machimura, said the Health Ministry had asked 90 000 companies to check if their imported products, including processed foods, had been contaminated with melamine.

Japan's Marudai Food Co withdrew buns made with milk supplied by China's Yili, a Marudai official said yesterday, adding there had been no reports of illness from the buns.

Japan's Nissin also recalled products with Chinese dairy ingredients.

(Published by Reuters - September 23, 2008)