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December 2, 2008 8:53:36 PM CST

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Toxic Milk Poisons 6,000 Babies

Posted Sep 17, 08 3:48 AM CDT in Business,  Science & Health,  World 

(Newser) – The toll from contaminated infant formula in China continues to mount alarmingly, with more than 6,000 babies poisoned and at least three killed, reports the BBC. Another 158 are suffering from acute kidney failure. The chemical melamine—which caused widespread pet deaths in contaminated food last year—has now been discovered in 22 brands of powdered milk. The chemical is used in plastics manufacturing, but it also makes the protein content of food appear higher.

Angry parents gathered outside the headquarters of the Sanlu Group in Shijiazhuang, the company that manufactured the milk. One protester said his twin daughters have eaten Sanlu products from birth. "So what if they give us our money back, you can't give our children their health back," he said. "I'm furious." Four people have already been arrested in the scandal.

Source BBC

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The uncle of 15-month-old Tian Yaowen shows a bag of Sanlu infant formula, blamed for causing three deaths and thousands of babies to become sick.   (AP Photo)
A grandmother looks after 15-month-old Tian Yaowen who is suffering from kidney stones caused by tainted formula.   (AP Photo)
Anxious mothers crowd a Chinese hospital to have their children examined after consuming possibly toxic baby formula.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Gong Zhihong)
Parents with babies suffering from kidney stones at a Chinese hospital. Thousands of babies have become ill from consuming toxic baby formula.   (AP Photo/EyePress)
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China • poison • food contamination • milk • baby formula


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