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China sets limit on melamine levels in dairy products

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-08 17:53

New dairy safety standards are released in China following a contaminated milk powder scandal that sickened tens of thousands of babies.

A chemical known as melamine was intentionally added to diluted milk to make it seem high in protein content. More 50,000 babies were sickened as a result of drinking the contaminated milk powder.

At a press conference Wednesday, Wang Xuening, deputy director of the Health Ministry's Health Supervision Bureau released new rules for the dairy industry.

Wang said infant formula should not exceed one milligram of melamine per kilogram.

A maximum 2.5 milligrams per kilogram was allowed for liquid milk, milk powder and food products containing at least 15 percent milk.

"Melamine is neither a raw food material nor a food additive," he said. "Deliberately adding the chemical in food items is prohibited. Once such cases are spotted, they will be investigated according to law."

Melamine, is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and food packaging materials. When asked why China allowed any melamine at all in dairy products, Wang said that is impossible to have "zero levels". The chemical can seep into food via its packaging.

"The limits mainly aim to curb deliberate adding behaviors," he said.

So far, 27 people have been arrested over the scandal.