Another Chinese milk scandal

At the same time as the Chinese Public Security Bureau and three other agencies are calling for the death penalty for food processors breaching food safety laws and harsher punishments for government officials who ignore food safety offences, protect offenders or take bribes, another melamine food safety scandal is emerging in China.

The adulteration of milk powder with melamine killed six and sickened at least 300,000 in 2008. Now, authorities in Shanxi province have arrested seven people suspected of producing 26 tons of melamine-tainted milk powder.

One of the arrested, Wang Zhigang, is the general manager of Jinfulai Dairy Company, which produced and sold the tainted dairy product throughout China and overseas. Prosecutors claim the company added melamine to milk powder that was out of date.

Melamine, a nitrogen-rich compound, is used to make plastics, fertilisers and concrete. When added to food products it indicates a higher apparent protein content but can cause kidney stones and kidney failure.

In 2008, melamine was found in the products of 22 Chinese dairy companies - one out of every five suppliers in China. More than 20 people were convicted for their roles in the scandal and two people were executed. The incident led to a worldwide recall of Chinese dairy products.

Despite a crackdown on melamine-laced milk products, some batches of tainted supplies have been found on sale since 2008.