12/27/2011, 00.00
CHINA
Send to a friend

Cancer-causing milk brings more danger to China’s food

After the melamine scandal, which left many people dead or sick a few years ago, giant dairy Mengniu acknowledges that some of its products contained aflatoxins, highly carcinogenic substances caused by fungi or mould. Although China’s central government has imposed tighter controls, companies continue to ignore them in the pursuit of profits.
Beijing (AsiaNews) – China’s Mengniu Dairy company acknowledged that its products contained excessive and lethal doses of aflatoxin, one of the most dangerous carcinogens in the world. Although the food giant destroyed the tainted batch of milk, consumers’ confidence has been shaken again.

In a press release, the company said that the problem was discovered before the tainted milk reached stores. "Mengniu would like to express our sincere apologies to consumers," the statement said. "We will learn a big lesson from this incident and will work harder to meet all national and corporate standards on quality." Mengniu is China’s largest dairy.

Aflatoxins are toxins produced by various species of fungus, or by mouldy substances, and are among the most carcinogenic substances known. If they are found in milk, it is because of poor hygiene during production.

Chinese authorities have ordered dairy companies to meet higher standards, but so far, they have failed in their pursuit of profits.

A few years ago, China’s food industry was hit by a succession of scandals. In 2008, six children died and another 300,000 became sick from drinking melamine-tainted milk formula. Melamine is a substance that when added to milk powder artificially boosts its protein content.
TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
For Fr Tom, abducted in Yemen, Holy Thursday prayer and adoration for the martyrs
21/03/2016 14:57
"We are optimistic," says Paul Bhatti as Rimsha Masih's bail hearing postponed to Friday
03/09/2012
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29
Pope talks about the Middle East, the Holy Land and the food crisis with Bush
13/06/2008
National Commission for Women asks for 'immediate action' in the nun rape case in Kerala
07/02/2019 17:28


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”