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China arrests 12 in milk scandal China arrests 12 in milk scandal
(about 5 hours later)
Police in China have arrested 12 more people in the scandal over contaminated milk powder, which has killed three babies and sickened thousands. Police in China have arrested 12 more people in a scandal over dairy products contaminated with melamine.
The new arrests bring the total number of people detained to 18, police in the north-eastern province of Hebei said. Three infants are known to have died, while thousands are ill, after being fed tainted baby milk.
Nationwide checks on milk powder are continuing, and police have confiscated more than 200kg (440lb) of melamine. On Thursday, officials in the north-western province of Xinjiang said a fourth person had died, but did not say whether it was a baby.
The additive is blamed for causing severe renal problems and kidney stones in babies across the country. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is recalling products made by a Chinese dairy after some were found to contain melamine.
Of those arrested, six allegedly sold melamine, while the rest are accused of selling contaminated milk. Eight out of 30 of dairy products made by the Yili Industrial Group Co, including milk, ice-cream and yoghurt, were found to be contaminated with the industrial chemical.
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.
Widening crisisWidening crisis
Premier Wen Jiabao held a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday to address the baby milk crisis. Thursday's arrests bring the total number of people detained to 18, said police in the north-eastern province of Hebei.
Suppliers are believed to have added melamine, a banned chemical normally used in plastics, to watered-down milk in order to make it appear higher in protein.
The additive is blamed for causing severe renal problems and kidney stones.
The chemical was first found in baby milk powder made by the Sanlu Group. In total, melamine has been found in products made by 22 Chinese companies.
Nationwide checks on milk powder are continuing, and police in Hebei have confiscated more than 200kg (440lb) of melamine. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Of the 18 people arrested, six allegedly sold melamine, while the rest are accused of selling contaminated milk.
Premier Wen Jiabao held a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday to address the crisis.
The State Council, or cabinet, admitted that regulations had failed to improve food standards.The State Council, or cabinet, admitted that regulations had failed to improve food standards.
"The Sanlu infant milk powder incident reflects chaos in the dairy products market and loopholes in supervision and administration which has not been vigorous," it said. "The Sanlu infant milk powder incident reflects chaos in the dairy products market and loopholes in supervision, and administration which has not been vigorous," it said.
Chinese parents who can afford it have been buying imported milk powder, with some in southern China crossing into Hong Kong to stock up on foreign brands.Chinese parents who can afford it have been buying imported milk powder, with some in southern China crossing into Hong Kong to stock up on foreign brands.
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People queue to return milk powder as infants are treated in hospital
Anger spreadsAnger spreads
The milk scandal has sparked widespread anger among Chinese mothers, many of whom are reliant on cheap baby formula to feed their infants. The milk scandal has sparked widespread anger among Chinese parents, many of whom rely on cheap baby formula to feed their infants.
Parent's anger over milk scandalParent's anger over milk scandal
It has also raised questions about China's ability to police its food production industries after a series of health scares - and fatalities - in recent years.It has also raised questions about China's ability to police its food production industries after a series of health scares - and fatalities - in recent years.
These have ranged from the contamination of seafood to toothpaste and, last year, to pet food exported to the United States. These have ranged from the contamination of seafood to toothpaste and, last year, to pet food exported to the US.
Thousands of inspectors are checking milk production plants and selling stations across the country.
Parents are lining up for health checks on their babies.Parents are lining up for health checks on their babies.
They are also expressing anger at why Sanlu, the company first found to have sold contaminated milk, took so long to make the problem public. They are also expressing anger at why Sanlu took so long to make the problem public.
At least 6,244 babies have been made ill by the milk powder, and three have died, but those numbers are predicted to rise.
Tests have shown that 69 batches of formula from 22 companies contained the banned substance.Tests have shown that 69 batches of formula from 22 companies contained the banned substance.
Two of the companies involved have exported their products to Bangladesh, Yemen, Gabon, Burundi, and Burma, although it is not clear if contaminated batches are involved.Two of the companies involved have exported their products to Bangladesh, Yemen, Gabon, Burundi, and Burma, although it is not clear if contaminated batches are involved.
The BBC's James Reynolds in Beijing says one mother told him that she was angry with both the milk producers and with what she called the "useless" quality inspection departments.The BBC's James Reynolds in Beijing says one mother told him that she was angry with both the milk producers and with what she called the "useless" quality inspection departments.