[Marxism] China milk scandal

[mkaradjis at theplanet.net.au]

> I'm currently writing an article for Green Left, that takes up the points
> made here, but also the question of the commodification of infant
> nutrition. I.e. the push, particularly in poor countries, to replace
> breastfeeding with artificial formula. One of the bigger disasters
> produced by corporate dominated orthodox medicine in recent decades.
>

Nick you might be interested in this on Vietnam's decision to ban 22
Chinese milk brands:

Health Ministry tightens up on imported milk supplies

Viet Nam News (24-09-2008)

HCM CITY — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has ordered authorities nationwide
to ban entry to any imports of milk, milk powder or milk-based products
that have non-standard labels or do not contain information about supply
sources.

Recent tests by the city have shown that the Chinese brand Yili Pure Milk,
which was imported last month and sold by Kim An Ltd. Co., is contaminated
with melamine, an industrial chemical used to make plastics and
fertiliser.

Melamine, which is banned from use in food in China, was illegally added
by a number of Chinese dairy companies to artificially raise the protein
levels in milk, according to news reports.

At least 13,000 Chinese children who drank contaminated milk or milk
formula have been hospitalised, with most being treated for kidney stones.
The Chinese Health Ministry said 104 of them were in serious condition,
the International Herald Tribune reported on Tuesday.

The Yili milk sample was tested at the HCM City Experiment Analysis
Service Center on Monday.

Nguyen Van Chau, director of HCM City’s Health Department, has asked the
HCM City Customs Department to supply a list of imported milk brands to
hasten the inspection work now being done.

Chau also asked the MoH to re-check its list of all officially imported
milk brands that had been issued food safety certificates.

The MoH said the 22 Chinese banned milk brands are: Yili, Sanlu, Xiongmao,
Shengyuan, Shanxi Gucheng, Bao Ji Hui min, Meng Niu, Jia Duo Tianjin,
Guangdong Yashili, Jiang xi Guang ming ying xiong, Hunan Pei yi, Qining,
Shanxi Yashili, Jin Bi Min, Shi Yi, Jin dinh, Aomeiduo, Soukang, Baiyue,
Leilei, Baoanli and Chenguan. — VNS