Mercury in baby formula
By Ding Yining |
June 15, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S consumer quality regulator yesterday said it has found an "unusual amount" of mercury in baby formula produced by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co, one of China's biggest dairy companies.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement that the mercury was detected in batches of Yili products during a check of baby formula products.
The administration has examined samples from 715 infant formula products, covering all of the country's formula producers, the statement said. Yili was the only company found to have its products contaminated with mercury, the administration said.
Yili said its Quan You milk powder, for children six months to three years old that was produced from last November to this May, will be withdrawn from the market.
Yili's baby milk powder is still available in some cities' supermarkets and the country's largest online shopping site, Taobao.com.
Shanghai Administration for Industry & Commerce said yesterday it has found no breach of food-safety standards yet. It has sent notices to local supermarkets for suspension of selling of Yili products.
There is no strict regulation for the level of mercury in milk powder.
Excessive amounts of mercury can harm the nervous system, digestive system and endocrine functions and can be fatal.
It's not the first time Yili has been involved with food scandals. In 2008, its products were found contaminated with melamine, together with other milk producers such as Sanlu Group and China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd.
The quality of China's dairy products has been under a magnifying glass since the 2008 scandal.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement that the mercury was detected in batches of Yili products during a check of baby formula products.
The administration has examined samples from 715 infant formula products, covering all of the country's formula producers, the statement said. Yili was the only company found to have its products contaminated with mercury, the administration said.
Yili said its Quan You milk powder, for children six months to three years old that was produced from last November to this May, will be withdrawn from the market.
Yili's baby milk powder is still available in some cities' supermarkets and the country's largest online shopping site, Taobao.com.
Shanghai Administration for Industry & Commerce said yesterday it has found no breach of food-safety standards yet. It has sent notices to local supermarkets for suspension of selling of Yili products.
There is no strict regulation for the level of mercury in milk powder.
Excessive amounts of mercury can harm the nervous system, digestive system and endocrine functions and can be fatal.
It's not the first time Yili has been involved with food scandals. In 2008, its products were found contaminated with melamine, together with other milk producers such as Sanlu Group and China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd.
The quality of China's dairy products has been under a magnifying glass since the 2008 scandal.
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