THE first batch of China-made dairy products sold in Singapore which was found to be melamine-contaminated was incinerated on Tuesday morning.

A truck load of 497 crates, or close to 1,800 litres, of Yili Choice Dairy Fruit Bar Yoghurt Flavoured Ice Confection were sent to the National Environment Agency (NEA) Tuas Incineration Plant and destroyed.

Yili ice confection was one of the three milk and dairy products made in China, which authorities here say are adulterated by the chemical normally found in plastics and glues. The other tainted items are White Rabbit creamy candy and Dutch Lady strawberry-flavoured milk.

The tainted-milk scandal originated in China where it is believed that the milk was first diluted to increase its volume and then had melamine added to simulate acceptable protein levels.

The incident is turning into a global food scare, as more countries ban imports and retailers unilaterally take China milk products off the shelves.

In Singapore, dozens of China-made products, such as Magnum ice-cream, Phoon Huat butter and ghee and Monmilk have been suspended from sale and import since last week.

AVA spokesman Alethea Nah on Tuesday said the AVA will be focusing its efforts on checking for melamine in all milk and milk products made in China.