-- BEIJING -- China on Friday vowed to punish those responsible for contaminating baby milk powder that has killed one infant and sickened dozens, as it emerged the producer knew about the problem a month ago.Now, I know what you're thinking... "This has to be some sort of sociopathic criminal gang at the fringes of Chinese society."
Media reports said dairy farmers were suspected of lacing milk used in the Sanlu brand formula with melamine, an industrial chemical which can cause kidney stones, to boost its protein content.
Melamine, a chemical used in making plastics, glues and other products, was at the centre of a U.S. recall of pet foods containing Chinese-made additives last year.
Well... guess again.
The group is a leading state-owned dairy company based in northern China's Hebei province that had plans to list on the Shanghai stock exchange this year.*
The company's public relations office did not answer phone calls on Friday, while no notices about a recall or apologies were posted on its website.