Govt bans import of China milk, other products for 3 months

New Delhi, Sept 25 (UNI) India today banned import of milk and milk products from China where contaminated milk has claimed four lives and left nearly 53,000 children in the country sick.

The import from China of dairy products, including milk and milk products, is prohibited for three months with immediate effect and until further orders, Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification last night.

Melamine, used for making plastics and fertiliser, was found in infant formula and other milk products of 22 Chinese dairy firms, reports said, adding the dangerous chemical can cause stones in kidney and its failure.

Suppliers trying to cut costs are believed to have added melamine to diluted milk because its high nitrogen content masks the resulting protein deficiency.

World Health Organisation(WHO) has warned against tainted infant formula illegally crossing borders.

China has recalled milk it exported to Bangladesh, Burundi, Gabon, Yemen and Myanmar but it was not clear if the products sent there were contaminated or the recall was just precautionary, and if any have been sickened in those countries due to tainted milk, a report quoting a WHO official said.

UNI SAA AK KN1459