3 Sentenced to Death in China Milk Scandal

Feed and milk being destroyed, say authorities

(NEWSER) - A cancer-causing toxin found in milk produced by two major dairy companies in China—including the nation's largest—is being caused by rotten feed fed to cows, say Chinese authorities. The mildewed feed is creating high levels of carcinogenic aflatoxin in milk in the latest dairy scandal to rock China. Authorities have ordered the tainted milk and feed destroyed, reports AP . More»

A suspect has been taken into custody

(NEWSER) - China is grappling with another tainted milk scandal that has killed three children, though this appears to be a case of intentional poisoning: Investigators discovered that nitrite, an industrial salt, was added to milk from two dairies last week, according to state media. A suspect has been taken into custody, though no additional details were offered. AP reports that the three victims were all under 2 years; one was just 36 days old. An additional 36 people, most of them children, were also sickened. Click for more on China's previous tainted milk scandals . More»

Genetic engineers in China face criticism from health, animal advocates

(NEWSER) - Scientists in China have genetically altered some 300 cows to produce "human" milk, the Telegraph reports. Using cloning techniques, scientists inserted human genes into cow embryos and implanted the embryos in mother cows. Scientists say the resulting dairy cows produced milk with "much higher nutritional content" than regular cow’s milk, including extra fat as well as proteins that support the immune system—meaning it could be an alternative to formula for babies. More»

Along with a dozen other non-violent crimes

(NEWSER) - China has eliminated the death penalty as a possible punishment for 13 non-violent offenses, the AP reports. But critics say it probably won't make a big dent in the estimated 5,000 annual executions in the country—nearly 70 crimes still carry a possible death sentence, many of them non-violent. Among the offenses no longer in the capital punishment category: forging invoices to avoid taxes and smuggling cultural relics out of the country. More»

(USER SUBMITTED) - China's Health Ministry is investigating claims that hormones in powdered milk have caused baby girls to show signs of puberty, including growing breasts. Three infants, who range in age between 4 months and 15 months, have been found to have abnormal premature pubescent developments, and all three allegedly drank the same type of powdered milk formula. More»