BEIJING — China’s agriculture minister acknowledged Tuesday that the country’s milk- gathering system was “out of control” and led to abuses that put contaminated dairy products in stores across Asia, sickening some 54,000 babies and killing four.
At least nine countries banned imports of Chinese dairy products, and the World Health Organization warned of possible smuggling of melamine-tainted infant formula across borders. The European Union told customs authorities to keep a closer eye on food imports from China.
Melamine, used to make plastics and fertilizer, has been found in infant formula and other milk products from 22 Chinese dairy companies. Suppliers trying to cut costs are believed to have added it to watered-down milk because its high nitrogen content masks the resulting protein deficiency.
Chinese state television reported that the company at the center of the scandal, Sanlu Group Co., received complaints about tainted formula last December and waited eight months to tell the local government. The Associated Press
