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China stops tainted sweet sales China stops tainted sweet sales
(about 2 hours later)
A Chinese sweet maker has stopped domestic sales of one of its best-known brands after it was found to contain the industrial chemical melamine.A Chinese sweet maker has stopped domestic sales of one of its best-known brands after it was found to contain the industrial chemical melamine.
The company, Guanshengyuan, has already halted exports of the popular White Rabbit candy, made from milk.The company, Guanshengyuan, has already halted exports of the popular White Rabbit candy, made from milk.
It is the latest development in the food safety scandal involving milk contaminated with melamine.It is the latest development in the food safety scandal involving milk contaminated with melamine.
A growing number of countries have already banned or restricted imports of Chinese products containing milk.A growing number of countries have already banned or restricted imports of Chinese products containing milk.
The news comes just days after China's food safety regulators said that recent food safety problems had been brought under control. At least 13,000 children in China are still in hospital as a result of drinking contaminated powder milk. Four babies have died and some 53,000 made ill.
In China the tainted milk has made 53,000 children ill and killed four. 'Tragedy'
The World Health Organisation's China representative said the scandal may have peaked but said there could be more deaths. Guanshengyuan is a subsidiary of Bright Foods - one of the dairies at the centre of the contaminated milk scandal.
Its announcement that it was halting all sales of White Rabbit candy follows the decision to recall exports to more than 50 countries, after some of its sweets tested positive for melamine in Singapore earlier this week.
Ge Junjie, a vice-president of Bright Foods, said the firm had taken the decision to halt sales, even though the results of tests were not yet known.
We might be starting to see the end of it, even if I don't think we are yet at that level Hans TroedssonWorld Health Organization, China
"It's a tragedy for the Chinese food industry and a big lesson for us as it ruined the time-honoured brand," he was quoted by the Shanghai Daily as saying.
Both Canadian and British regulators have already asked shops to withdraw White Rabbit sweets, while the Philippines has ordered all Chinese-made dairy products to be pulled from shelves.
Meanwhile, a Europe wide ban on all children's food containing any traces of milk imported from China came into force on Friday morning. Other Chinese food is being tested.
Officials in Brussels are emphasising that as far as they know there has been no contamination of food originating from China, the BBC's Europe correspondent Chris Mason says.
Peak reached?
The scandal came to light earlier this month when baby milk powder from the Sanlu Group was found to contain the industrial chemical melamine.
Since then, at least 22 other companies have been implicated - and milk products made by the Yili, Mengniu and Bright Foods groups have been recalled both at home and abroad.
On Friday, the World Health Organisation's China representative said the scandal may have peaked, but warned there could be more deaths.
"We might be starting to see the end of it, even if I don't think we are yet at that level, because there is now vigorous testing, not only in China, but in other countries," said Hans Troedsson."We might be starting to see the end of it, even if I don't think we are yet at that level, because there is now vigorous testing, not only in China, but in other countries," said Hans Troedsson.
Canada's food safety regulator has recommended a recall of White Rabbit sweets while authorities in Singapore said they found melamine in samples of the product imported from China. Melamine is used in making plastics and is high in nitrogen, which makes products appear to have a higher protein content.
The Philippines has also ordered Chinese-made dairy products off the shelves. Health experts say that ingesting small amounts does no harm but sustained use can cause kidney stones and renal failure, especially among the young.
The European Union is banning imports of Chinese baby food that contains any traces of milk, while other Chinese food will be tested.
Melamine is usually used to make plastic. It can primarily affect the kidneys.