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78 questioned in powder milk contamination

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-12 19:32

BEIJING - Chinese police questioned 78 people suspected of being involved in a baby milk powder contamination scandal, said Shijiazhuang Vice Mayor Zhao Xinchao on Friday.

The city is where the formula was being manufactured by Sanlu Group.

A picture taken on September 11, 2008 shows the headquarters of Sanlu Group. [Xinhua] More Photos

Zhao would not say who the 78 people are but Sanlu told Xinhua those being questioned include dairy farmers and milk dealers.

Related readings:  Milk recalled as baby dies  Chemical substance in milk powder, why?  How to detect fake powered milk  Sanlu to recall milk powder as baby dies

The company would not tell Xinhua if its own employees are being investigated.

Sanlu, one of China's leading dairy producers, discovered it's powdered milk products were contaminated with melamine after dozens of babies became sick with kidney stones.

According to Zhao, the suspects added water to the milk they sold to Sanlu to make more money. They also added melamine so that the diluted milk could still meet standards.

Exposure to melamine can lead to stone formation in the urinary tract of the human body. One baby in the Gansu province died as result kidney stones.

Zhao vowed to spare no efforts to save the sick babies.

Sanlu has sealed off 2,176 tons of contaminated milk powder and recalled 8,210 tons from the market. There are still 700 tons to be recalled. All the contaminated formula was produced before August 6 of this year.

Health Ministry starts nationwide haul of infant kidney stone cases

The Health Ministry said Friday that it has launched a nationwide investigation into contaminated Sanlu baby milk formula. All local health agencies are to report cases of infants with kidney stones immediately.

Testing by Sanlu, found tripolycyanamide, also known as melamine,in 700 tons of its product.

Health experts said melamine is a chemical raw material. Ingestion can lead to reproductive damage, or bladder or kidney stones.

A thermosetting plastic, melamine has an appearance similar to milk powder. It is widely used in manufacturing fabrics, glues, housewares and flame retardants.

"The substance gives the appearance of a high nitrogen level, which is an index to measure the protein content in food," a health expert told Xinhua. He declined to be named.

Dozens of babies in the Gansu province are reportedly sick. One died after drinking contaminated forumla.

Lu Yuan, a urologist with the No. 1 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said kidney stones could bring serious problems to the baby's brains, hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers.

Lu's hospital, based in Lanzhou, capital of the Gansu Province, has received 14 such infant patients, six have already been cured and eight are still being treated.

"Most of the babies looked worn-out and had a fever when they arrived at the hospital. Some didn't produce any urine for two to three days and were in very serious condition," Lu said.

The Health Ministry has issued a treatment plan on its official website (www.moh.gov.cn) to help local hospitals deal with such sick babies.

The Health Ministry said those responsible for the contaminated milk will face "heavy punishment".

It urged the public to immediately stop consuming the Sanlu milk powder formula and go to a doctor if they find babies having difficulty in urinating.

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