India on Tuesday announced an extension of the ban on milk and milk products from China for another year.
According to a notification from the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the extension took effect on December 24 last. On June 24, the government had extended the ban for six months.
Milk and milk products from China have been prohibited since September 2008. The items that come under the ban include chocolate, chocolate products, candies, confectioneries and food preparations that use milk as an ingredient.
Though the DGFT has not cited any reason for the ban, it is understood that it was over fears of Chinese milk containing melamine, a deadly chemical, officials said.
