BEIJING - China's quality watchdog has launched a nationwide probe of dairy firms after it emerged that dozens of babies had developed kidney stones from drinking milk contaminated with melamine.
The results announced late on Tuesday found that 22 of 109 firms probed, or 20 per cent, were found to have produced milk carrying the banned toxin, which can be added to food to make protein levels appear higher to quality testers.
The findings have sparked product recalls and apologies from a number of companies, and promises of compensation to victims.
Three babies have died, and the number of sick has risen nearly five-fold to 6,244, Chinese officials said on Wednesday.
Those with 'acute kidney failure' had reached 158. Officials have warned the toll could rise further as more children are examined.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine website (www.aqsiq.gov.cn) named the firms in order of the prevalence of melamine contamination found in samples of their product, as follows:
1 Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group
2 Shanghai Panda Dairy
3 Synutra International Inc
4 Shanxi Gucheng Dairy
5 Jiangxi Bright & Hero Dairy
6 Baoji Huimin Milk
7 Mengniu Dairy
8 Duojiaduo Dairy Industry (Tianjin)
9 Guangdong Yashili Group
10 Hunan Peiyi Dairy
11 Heilongjiang Qining Dairy
12 Shanxi Yashili Dairy
13 Shenzhen Jinbishi Milk
14 Guangzhou Shien Dairy
15 Guangzhou Jinding Dairy
16 Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co
17 Ausmeadow Nutriment Co Ltd
18 Qingdao Suncare Nutritional Technology Co Ltd
19 Xi'an Baiyue Dairy
20 Yantai Leilei Dairy Products
21 Shanghai Bao'anli Dairy
22 Fuding Chenguan Dairy
-- REUTERS