Probe into new melamine problem launched
China - The China government launched a probe into the food safety after a new batch of products were discovered to be laced melamine, a chemical that caused the deaths of six babies and a huge global scandal in 2008.
At a weekend meeting on food safety issues hosted by Health Minister Chen Zhu, officials decided to launch an inspection campaign "to thoroughly check potential problems in food safety," reported the People's Daily.
"There are still some businesses and individuals that ignore the safety and health of the public and are blinded by greed," the paper said.
In the latest reported case, authorities in the southwestern province of Guizhou found that the produces, said to include "popsicles", contained levels of melamine above allowable limits, the China Daily said.
Melamine is used to make dairy products appear higher in protein, but an excessive amount can cause kidney stones and kidney failure. The scandal first surfaced in September 2008, causing the death of six babies and sickened over 300,000 others. The issue caused a major uproar globally, highlighted China's need to clean up its food supply chain.
The three firms were Zibo Lusaier Dairy Company in eastern China's Shandong province, Tieling Wuzhou Food Company in northeastern Liaoning province and the Laoting Kaida Refrigeration Plant in northern Hebei province.
________________________________________________________
Managing people? For HR and leadership strategy, Human Resources has it covered.
Get your marketing department up to speed with Asia's most read marketing site
marketing-interactive.com