China Milk Recall 2008 Unearths Another 170 Tons of Melamine Milk Powder in 2010

In 2008, melamine tainted powdered milk and infant formula led to the deaths of six children, the hospitalization of another 860 babies and two executions of guilty parties. Now more powdered milk - from the China milk recall - is discovered.

Another 170 Tons from China Milk Recall Discovered

Melamine-tainted powdered milk is once again showing up on China's store shelves. The Associated Press reports that about 170 tons of the polluted milk powder were found - packed for resale - in Shanghai as well as Guizhou, Jilin, Shaanxi, Shandong, Liaoning and Hebei. One dairy company asserts that it received the milk powder as a debt payment.

Since smaller companies do not have the facilities to test for the melamine, it is uncertain just how much more tainted powdered milk is on store shelves or about to hit them. Adding insult to injury, the Chinese government never took on the responsibility of actually destroying the products indicated in the China milk recall; instead, it merely issued rules for the proper destruction of the problem milk.

How Much More Powdered Milk Is Out There?

Approximately 770 tons of adulterated milk powder were sold between July 2007 and August 2008. The BBC reported in November, 2009 that Zhang Yujun and Geng Jinping were executed in the China milk recall scandal for their roles. Sanlu Group, to which Jinping sold the milk, knowingly sold 900 tons of toxic products.

Tainted Chinese Imports Are Common

Even as it is unclear - and thus far denied - that any of the melamine-tainted milk powder was slated for export, United States' records show that tainted Chinese imports are a frequent occurrence.

As far back as 2007, the Washington Post reported on carcinogenic chemical-laden dried apples, frozen seafood testing positive for banned medications, and Food and Drug Administration forbidden pesticides on mushrooms. It is noteworthy that all these tainted products were returned to sender only to show up again on American shores a short while later...again.

Melamine Not Just in Milk Powder

American consumers should keep in mind that powdered milk is not the only product that has been known to be tainted with melamine. Back in 2008, the FDA warned against the purchase of Mr. Brown instant coffee, a product that is easily obtainable via the Internet. Los Angeles, home to various large Asian markets that specialize in Chinese imports, was a likely recipient of some of these products.

This of course now begs the question if any of the 170 tons of powdered milk were earmarked for the production of import products or might already be here. Since the Chinese government never took on the task of actually destroying the milk powder involved in the China milk recall, one can only guess.

Sources
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jL7mHkJcSHVOLlejms7eQS2xXDiwD9DNVJK82
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8375638.stm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/19/AR2007051901273.html
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm179005.htm