China

Biscuits, sweets, baby cereals found to contain toxic melamine

Article published on the 2008-09-26 Latest update 2008-09-26 15:04 TU

A Korean official shows snacks in which melamine was found
(Photo: Reuters)

Supermarkets in Hong Kong took a popular brand of biscuits off the shelves on Friday, after tests showed the product contained large amounts of melamine, the poisonous chemical that has been found in milk. Milk candies and Heinz baby cereals are also contaminated.

Two large chains ParknShop and Wellcome said they had withdrawn the Chinese-made Lotte's Koala Cookies after the Macau health bureau reported that tests revealed the biscuits contain high levels of melamine.

The Hong Kong government on Friday said it had found melamine in Heinz baby cereal and in rice crackers. It ordered Heinz to stop selling the products. Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety said it could prosecute if there was sufficient evidence.

The centre said it would now test every consignment of fresh milk to come from mainland China for the presence of melamine.

Chinese candy-maker Guanshengyuan has halted exports of its popular White Rabbit candy, made from milk, after it was discovered to contain melamine.

Japanese foodmaker Marudai Food Co said that it hda found the chemical in one of its products. It wothdrew more than 300,000 buns last week.

Four babies have died and another 53,000 Chinese children have fallen ill after drinking contaminated milk.

In Hong Kong five children have fallen ill after consuming products containing traces of the chemical melamine. More than a dozen countries have already banned imports of Chinese dairy products.

The scandal has not only affected children. Chinese media reports that two orangutans and a lion cub at a zoo in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou have been diagnosed with kidney stones after consuming milk powder.

UN health and food agencies on Friday urged the food industryto ensure that its poducts are safe.