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China for fair treatment on dairy products issue

— Photo: Xinhua

Quality test: Minister of Commerce Chen Deming tastes a milk product at a supermarket in Beijing recently.

BEIJING: China’s government has called for “unbiased, scientific and fair treatment” of its dairy products abroad after the scandal of the melamine contamination that left at least three infants dead and thousands ill.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China “understands” the concerns of countries that have restricted imports of its dairy products, but the Chinese food safety watchdogs had strengthened supervision of exports.

Food safety authorities had promised that once the problems were detected, China would immediately inform the countries concerned and demand the responsible manufacturer recall or destroy the tainted product.

The Sanlu Group, a leading dairy producer based in northern Hebei Province, admitted on September 12 that it had found some of its baby milk powder products were contaminated with melamine.

The formula has left more than 53,000 with urinary tract problems, including kidney stones. “As a matter of fact, China promptly reported the information to relevant countries as well as international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) when Sanlu milk powder products were found contaminated,” said Mr. Qin.

He added that food safety had become a global challenge, and China was committed to stepping up cooperation with the international community on the issue.

Meanwhile, China’s State Council has issued a series of quality control regulations for dairy products.

The regulations tighten the control of how milk-yielding animals are bred and raw milk is purchased and also the production and sales of dairy food.

There will also be severe punishment for people who violate safety standards.

The watchdogs will carry out regular inspections of dairy products. Law-breaking producers will be blacklisted.

Health authorities will set up national safety standards. Those standards will limit pathogenic animalcule, pesticide residue, veterinary drug residue and other hazardous substances in dairy products. There will also be new hygiene requirements for dairy producers along with standardised national quality testing methods. — Xinhua

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