China It is again the center of a health scandal, which affects infants this time, two of whom died in the past months. Today it is accepted that 1,200 babies fell ill to have consumed adulterated milk as stated by the Deputy Minister of Health, Mi Shaowei.
More than 10,000 children were able to consume the poisoned milk powder, which indicates an unprecedented health drama. The death of two infants has been officially confirmed, on July 22 and May 1, which suggests that the contamination is not recent.
The Sanlu group, which produces "framed" milk, publicly announced on Monday that these items have "affected numerous babies and their families" and have declared their regret for this horrible situation.
Some commenters indicate that the Chinese authorities have tried to hide the matter. At the center of this food drama is the rural province of Gansu, place of origin of the two babies who have died and where the number of sick infants has quadrupled in a few days.
Sick children suffer mostly from kidney stones, a health problem that usually only affects adults. Sanlu milk is very attractive in rural areas due to its low price, it seems that adulterer with melamine, a chemical used in the manufacture of plastic, adhesives or synthetic resins, in order to appear richer in proteins. The production company has opened an investigation, but declares that the poisoning could not occur either in manufacturing or in the part of sale and distribution that corresponds to them.
Mothers in China mostly prefer to feed babies with artificial milk, since the labor market prevents breastfeeding and in addition, advertising campaigns are highly critical, convincing mothers of the suitability of these products for food.
