Number of Tainted Milk Victims Rises
09-16 15:55 Caijing
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Two babies are dead, 340 remain hospitalized, and 53 are in critical condition after drinking contaminated milk powder produced by the Sanlu Group.
Compiled by Caijing staff
China's contaminated milk powder has killed two infants and left 1,253 babies with kidney problems.
According to China's Health Ministry, by late September 15, a total of 340 babies remained hospitalized and 53 were in a critical condition from kidney stones after drinking contaminated formula produced by the Sanlu Group. The milk powder was tainted with a chemical used for plastics called melamine.
The Chinese government has formed an emergency team to investigate the case, which they have labeled a "Level One" food safety incident. On September 14, the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine sent groups of officials to Hebei, Guangdong and Heilongjiang provinces, as well as the Inner Mongolia region to inspect dairy companies.
Hebei police announced September 15 the detention of 22 people suspected of adding melamine to fresh milk to make it appear higher in protein. Four others have been arrested for selling contaminated milk to Sanlu.
According to an arestee surnamed Geng, who ran a milk collection center in Hebei province, he and his brother sold around three tons of tainted milk everyday to Sanlu since the end of last year. After suffering losses when their milk was rejected several times by Sanlu Group for failing to meet quality standards, they began adding melamine to make it appear as if the milk had a higher protein content.
In Gansu Province, authorities announced on September 14 that melamine was found in samples selected from Haoniu Dairy Co., a partner of Sanlu Group that produces under the Sanlu trademark. Following the announcement, all products of Haoniu were seized, but the provincial government denied the result the next day, saying they were the result of a mistake made in testing.
In July, Gansu Province was the first to report a baby's illness that seemed related to the milk powder. Authorities subsequently launched an investigation across the region. By September 13, there were a total of 102 cases reported in Gansu, including 34 babies who remain hospitalized and two who have died. All of the sickened babies are under three years old, and most of them live in rural areas, where Sanlu's cheaper baby formula is most popular.
Partially owned by New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, Sanlu is China's largest milk powder producer. The company earlier confirmed an internal investigation found that milk powder produced between March and August 5 was contaminated. On September 15, Zhang Zhenling, vice president of Sanlu Group, apologized to the public for the incident. Zhang said Sanlu will recall all the infant milk powder produced prior to August 6. The company will also recall milk powder produced after that date if consumer concerns persist.
According to Li Jinlu, Vice Mayor of Shijiazhuang City where Sanlu is based, 2,176 tons of milk powder in Sanlu warehouses have been put on immediate freeze, while another 8,218 tons on the market have been recalled.
China's Health Ministry has pledged free health care for all babies afflicted by the contaminated milk powder.
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