THE industrial chemical at the centre of a growing toxic milk scandal has been found in two more food products from China, authorities in Singapore said on Tuesday.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said it has found melamine in strawberry-flavoured New Sshma Ows Mallow Dippers, and Silang House of Steamed Potato potato and tomato cracker.

Both products contain milk, and bring to 10 the number of food items from China found in the city-state to contain the chemical, which is normally used in making plastics.

'It is clear that melamine has been artificially added to adulterate these products,' the agency said.

A growing range of China-made products has been pulled off shelves across the world amid the scandal. Singapore's AVA suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China on September 19.

State media in China reported on Tuesday that police in the country's north have arrested 27 people in their probe into the scandal, which has tarnished China's reputation abroad.

Four Chinese children have died after drinking milk tainted with melamine, which can make watered-down milk appear richer in protein.

Authorities in China say 53,000 children have also fallen ill after consuming goods containing melamine. -- AFP

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