| ■ 10,000 Chinese Children Hospitalized Due to Tainted Milk Powder | 2008.10.15 |
| More than 10,000 children remain hospitalized in China after being sickened by milk powder contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, the Chinese Health Ministry said in a statement on its Web site Wednesday. The ministry said no new deaths have been recorded in the scandal, which has killed four babies and sickened about 54,000, the Associated Press reported. It's believed dairy suppliers in China added melamine to watered-down milk to make it appear rich in protein. The chemical can cause kidney stones and potentially fatal kidney failure. In related news, Singapore officials said traces of melamine were found in more Chinese-made products -- blueberry and chocolate flavored Cadbury Choclairs and Panda Dairy-brand Whole Milk Powder, the AP reported. In Canada, consumers and businesses have been warned not to eat, distribute or sell Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold milk chocolate coins imported from China because the candy tested positive for melamine. The candy is sold in 840-gram containers containing 240 pieces per container that bear the designation UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and the lot code 1928S1, the Canadian Press reported. The candy is sold across Canada by Costco. It may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across the country. |