Two men accused of contaminating China’s milk supply have been sentenced to death by a Chinese court, while the former Chairwoman of Sanlu – the company at the centre of the scandal – will spend the rest of her life behind bars. The criminal contamination of milk with the chemical melamine was discovered in September last year, sparking a spate of recalls around the world. In the aftermath it was discovered that around 294,000 infants had fallen ill as a result of consuming contaminated... ...Read more »

As a Chinese court prepares to sentence those responsible for the melamine milk contamination that rocked China, 213 families have gone to the highest court in search of compensation. The families believe a payout scheme created by the government is not adequate. The criminal contamination of milk powder last year was linked to the tragic deaths of six babies and 294,000 infant illnesses and sparked a spate of consumer level recalls on Chinese dairy products. It was caused by the adding of the chemical... ...Read more »

The perception of the safety of China’s food has taken a hit this year following the widely discussed melamine scandal, which resulted in almost 300,000 infants falling ill and sparked a spate of recalls worldwide. In response to the decline of consumer confidence in the food supply, nine Chinese departments will cooperate in a four-month, nationwide investigation to find illegal additives in food, according to the official state news agency Xinhua. The ministries of Health, Industry and Information... ...Read more »

TNS Worldpanel, global market leader in consumer purchasing information, today announced that although China’s dairy market was hit by sales spiralling downwards, there are many winners emerging from the melamine scandal. The criminal contamination of milk products in China led to the tragic deaths of four babies as well as causing over 54,000 infants to fall ill and has seen food standards bodies worldwide test and assess the safety of dairy products from China. For international dairy brands,... ...Read more »

Fonterra, which owns 43 per cent of Sanlu – the company at the centre of the melamine scandal in China, has denied reports it is looking to sell its stake, according to ABC Online. News reports have suggested the New Zealand dairy co-operative has been in talks to sell its share of the company in the wake of the scandal which has led to the death of four babies and the illness of about 54,000 infants. It has been considered a “criminal contamination”, with over 20 people arrested... ...Read more »

A withdrawal of Dali Yuan brand First Milk vanilla flavour and Orion brand Tiramisu Italian Cake with Cheese Cream (both made in China) has been initiated following Australian test results indicating low levels of melamine in the product available here. Australian importers and wholesalers have begun withdrawing these products from sale today. The products should no longer be sold and consumers are advised not to consume Dali Yuan brand First Milk vanilla flavour and Orion brand Tiramisu Italian... ...Read more »

International media reports have cast doubt about the safety of certain fruit and vegetable products exported from China including Chinese mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce. There are concerns some may be tainted with melamine, the toxic chemical at the centre of the ongoing Chinese milk scandal. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand this afternoon released a statement outlining that no products in Australia have been found to be affected but further tests were being carried out. “Australia... ...Read more »

Cadbury’s Chocolate Eclairs, withdrawn from Australian shelves on Monday, have been found to be safe by the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety but the precautionary recall remains in place until Australian results come through. The confectionery giant announced a recall of their Chocolate Eclairs product – the only Cadbury product sold in Australia that is made at their Chinese plant – after concerns about the level of melamine were established. “We have received preliminary... ...Read more »

Australian food safety agencies have today advised that they continue to actively investigate and respond to melamine contamination of some products containing dairy ingredients made in China and elsewhere. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is coordinating action among Federal, State and Territory food agencies, including: * working with importers and food manufacturers in Australia to ascertain if products contain Chinese dairy product as an ingredient possibly contaminated with melamine; *targeted... ...Read more »

Confectionery giant Cadbury has withdrawn 11 products made in China, one of which – Chocolate Eclairs – is sold in Australia. Cadbury instigated a precautionary recall of Chocolate Eclairs from retailers shelves yesterday afternoon after preliminary tests revealed melamine, the chemical at the centre of the milk scandal, may be in the product. The company added that Pascal Eclairs, which are made in Australia, were not affected by the recall. The amount of melamine found is not yet known,... ...Read more »