India bans Chinese dairy products for 3 months

NEW DELHI: India has imposed a three-month ban on import of milk and milk products from China following reports of four children dying and thousands falling sick in the neighbouring country after consuming milk contaminated with melamine.

At least 12 other countries including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Kenya, have slapped similar bans on imports from China over the past two weeks.

The directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) issued the notification on Wednesday prohibiting imports of Chinese milk & milk products for a period of three months following directions given by the Indian food safety and standards authority (FSSA).

The FSSA sought a ban at a high-level meeting on Tuesday attended by officials from the ministries of agriculture, commerce & industry and health & family welfare.

When the crisis broke in China two weeks ago, it was initially thought that melamine contamination was restricted to milk powder and infant formula. Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertiliser that can cause kidney stones and lead to kidney failure.

However, further testing of samples from 22 Chinese companies showed the presence of melamine in samples of liquid milk too. The European Union (EU), which does not import Chinese infant milk powder, has intensified inspection of composite products like bread and chocolate coming from the Asian country.

The US, however, is silent on the issue. US-based Kraft Foods reportedly issued a statement saying Oreo products with milk do not contain any dairy from China. Sources in the government said that the ban on imports will be reviewed after three months when the situation is expected to stabilise.