TEHERAN - IRAN has banned imports of Chinese milk products over a contamination scandal which has left thousands of babies ill in China, local media reported on Monday.
'Imports of basic materials, food and drink products made in China, in which milk has been used as an ingredient, are banned,' the Kayhan newspaper quoted a health ministry statement as saying.
Separately, Lebanon has also banned the import of all powdered milk products from China over a contamination scandal that has left thousands of children ill in that country, Agriculture Minister Elias Skaff said on Monday.
'I have asked that all powdered milk products be banned because of what is happening in China,' Mr Skaff said, adding that the measure took effect late last week.
He said he has also asked that all Chinese powdered milk products already on the Lebanese market be withdrawn.
According to the agriculture ministry, some 500 tonnes of powdered milk is imported each year to Lebanon from China.
Melamine, which is normally used to make plastics, has been found in infant milk formula, sickening nearly 53,000 children and killing four in China.
In one of China's worst ever product recall scandals, countries from Asia to Europe have decided to suspend imports of Chinese milk products or to withdraw them from the market as the number of products involved grows.
'Those supplying such products will be legally dealt with,' the Iranian health ministry said, adding that the goods will be also seized. -- AFP
