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Chinese Infant Formula Killing Babies

By CNN

Published: Thu, September 18, 2008 - 10:33 pm Last Updated: Thu, September 18, 2008 - 10:41 pm

Milk samples from three Chinese dairies have tested positive for a chemical that has already killed four babies and sickened thousands more after it was fed to them in powdered infant formula, state-run media reported Thursday.

The positive samples came from the Mengniu, Yili and Bright dairies, according to the Xinhua news agency. All of the samples contained trace amounts of tripolycyanamide, also known as melamine.

Health experts say ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones, urinary tract ulcers, and eye and skin irritation.

The Chinese State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said the amount of the chemical found in the milk would not cause ill effects in adults who drank less than two liters a day.

Chinese officials deployed inspectors across the country to conduct testing after the melamine was found in baby formula.

The chemical in powdered baby milk has lead to the deaths of at least four children and sickened more than 6,200 others. At least 18 people have been arrested in connection with the case.

Of China's 175 baby milk powder production companies, at least 66 have stopped production, Inhuman reported this week.

Two brothers who sold milk used to produce the contaminated baby milk powder were arrested by Chinese investigators Monday. They could face death if convicted, according to China Daily, a state-run newspaper.

The raw milk had been watered down and the chemical added to fool quality checks, the newspaper said.

Melamine is commonly used in coatings and laminates, wood adhesives, fabric coatings, ceiling tiles and flame retardants.

Thousands of tons of the tainted milk powder have been recalled.

Chinese investigators have found melamine in nearly 70 milk products from more than 20 companies, Li said Wednesday.

The vast majority of the tainted formula was consumed domestically, but it is known to have been exported to Taiwan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Yemen, Chad and Burundi, according to Li.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said no Chinese baby formula has been allowed on the market in the United States. In a statement on its Web site, the FDA said it had reached out to all five companies making formula in the United States and none has used formula or source materials from China.

This episode marks the latest in a string of tainted products produced in China:

Thousands of pets in the United States became ill, some dying, last year after eating food imported from China tainted with melamine, the same chemical found in the powdered milk.
Last October, at least 69,000 Chinese-made toys were recalled in the United States over concerns of excessive amounts of lead paint
In November, it was found that the popular toy Aqua Dots was contaminated with a toxic chemical that turned into a powerful "date rape" drug if swallowed
In February, a Maryland candy distributor pulled Pokemon-brand Valentine lollipops from store shelves after bits of metal were found in the sealed treats, authorities said.