Chinese families with their babies rush to a hospital for checkups in Chongqing. China's toxic milk scandal escalated Monday as officials admitted nearly 53,000 children had been sickened by contaminated products and more countries moved to ban or limit Chinese dairy imports (AFP)Monday, September 22, 2008
AFP
Nearly 53,000 children in China have fallen ill from milk powder contaminated by the industrial chemical melamine, the country's government has said, dramatically ramping up its previous figures.
A total of 52,857 children had been brought to hospitals after falling ill, a health ministry spokesman said.
Most had "basically recovered" but 12,892 of them remained hospitalised, he added.
The health ministry says 104 babies show serious symptoms.
Four children have died after drinking the milk made by some of China's main producers.
Earlier, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said authorities would tighten regulations on product safety.
"What we need to do now is make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen in the future, and that's not just dairy products," he said.
"This kind of thing must not happen with any products. We must let the common people eat properly."
A total of 52,857 children had been brought to hospitals after falling ill, a health ministry spokesman said.
Most had "basically recovered" but 12,892 of them remained hospitalised, he added.
The health ministry says 104 babies show serious symptoms.
Four children have died after drinking the milk made by some of China's main producers.
Earlier, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said authorities would tighten regulations on product safety.
"What we need to do now is make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen in the future, and that's not just dairy products," he said.
"This kind of thing must not happen with any products. We must let the common people eat properly."
