China quality watchdog says latest-tested milk powder safe

Nov. 14 -- The latest quality inspections of Chinese milk powder show the products continuing to meet new temporary limits on melamine content, the country's top quality watchdog said on Friday.

They are the 17th round of milk powder quality tests for the industrial chemical since the scandal of the tainted baby formula that left more than 50,000 babies ill broke in September, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ).

Melamine, an industrial chemical often used in the manufacturing of plastics, was added to diluted milk or other foods to make the protein levels appear higher.

The latest tests covered 101 batches of baby formula from 17 brands produced in seven provinces, as well as 117 batches of other milk powder products under 30 brands manufactured in nine provinces nationwide, including leading domestic producers Yili and Gucheng.

To date, 1,746 batches of baby formula under 82 brands produced in 17 provinces since Sept. 14 were tested and all were in line with the limits, according to the GAQSIQ.

China set the temporary limits last month. They stipulate a maximum of 1 mg of melamine per kg of infant formula and a maximum2.5 mg per kg for liquid milk, milk powder and food products containing at least 15 percent milk.