BEIJING, Sep 22, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The number of babies sickened by
tainted milk products in China totals more than 50,000, with four dead and
another 104 seriously ill.
The Chinese Health Ministry said of those sickened, about 12,900 had been
hospitalized, among whom 104 were seriously ill, the China Daily reported.
CNN reported another 40,000 sick children underwent outpatient treatment after
consuming suspected melamine-tainted milk products. Chinese reports said a vast
majority of them are younger than 3.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told senior officials that official misconduct
contributed to the milk contamination and earlier product scandals, the report
said.
"In some places, incidents of food and production safety have continuously
arisen and seriously harmed people's lives and health," Wen was quoted as
telling Xinhua News Agency. "The social impact is vile and the lesson profound."
China Daily said that in a statement posted on its Web site Sunday, the Health
Ministry said the sick children had consumed milk made from milk powder, most of
it produced by the Sanlu Group.
It said authorities worked through the weekend to allay public concerns over the
widespread milk contamination. It said local officials were being punished even
as inspections of dairy products continued across the nation.
Japan has joined Singapore in recalling Chinese-made dairy products.
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Copyright 2008 by United Press International