China arrests 12 in milk scandal

by Sanjay Jha | September 18, 2008 at 01:09 am | 99 views | add comment | 0 recommendations

Isabella Wang Qiao Keefe - "What do you mean we're out of milk?"

The milk scandal has sparked widespread anger among Chinese mothers, many of whom are reliant on cheap baby formula to feed their infants. Acting tough on the baby milk scandal Chinese Police arrested 12 more people today as investigations continue into this scandal that has killed three babies so far.

More than 6,000 infants in the country have been taken ill since being fed batches of contaminated milk formula last week. Local officials knew about the problem for more than a month before they alerted central authorities, it emerged yesterday.

So far, 18 suspects have been arrested in connection with the health scare, while a further 87 people have been summoned for questioning.

Police in China have arrested 12 more people in the scandal over contaminated milk powder, which has killed three babies and sickened thousands.
The new arrests bring the total number of people detained to 18, police in the north-eastern province of Hebei said.
Nationwide checks on milk powder are continuing, and police have confiscated more than 200kg (440lb) of melamine.
The additive is blamed for causing severe renal problems and kidney stones in babies across the country.
Of those arrested, six allegedly sold melamine, while the rest are accused of selling contaminated milk.
Suppliers to the dairy companies are believed to have added the banned chemical, normally used in plastics, to watered-down milk to make it appear higher in protein.