| ■ Death Sentences Handed Out in Chinese Milk Scandal | 2009.01.27 |
| Three people have been sentenced to death by a Chinese court for their role in the tainted milk scandal that sickened about 300,000 children and killed at least six. Another person was sentenced to life in prison and three more were given prison terms of five to 15 years for their role in making and selling dairy products that contained the toxic chemical melamine, The New York Times reported. The harsh sentences given to dairy company executives and middlemen are part of the Chinese government's efforts to manage a scandal that resulted in a global recall of Chinese dairy products and seriously damaged the country's dairy industry. But the stiff penalties handed out Thursday won't satisfy some lawyers and parents of children who were sickened by tainted dairy products. They believe government officials who failed to properly regulate the nation's dairy industry should be held accountable, the Times reported. |