China Powdered Milk, Melamine, Cover Up?
15 09 2008The China powder milk saga (laced with melamine) continues. More that 1200 have been reported as showing symptoms of kidney failure. More than 400 are still hospitalized with more then 50 in critical condition and at least 2 deaths.
Sanglu the processor has been trying to cover up the contaminated milk even though they have been pressured by food giant New Zealand based Fonterra a 43% stakeholder in Sanlu Group.
According to Ms. Clark of Fonterra they have been pressuring Sanlu to recall the milk back in the early part of August. Perhaps they neglected the request because of the Olympics, or perhaps its just the standard protocol in China to cover it up. Regardless the local authorities would not recall the product. Ms. Clark stated “I think the first inclination was to try and put a towel over it and deal with it without an official recall.” Meanwhile Fonterra’s hands were tied and helpless to do anything (or were they?).
It appears that Sanlu had exported 25 metric tons in August to Taiwan which has now put a ban on all powdered milk from China. At present no reported problems have been announced in Taiwan. So far Taiwan is the only country to be know of importing the powdered milk.
Will the cover ups never end? Why so late to react? Did the China government know? Did the government discourage a recall during the Olympics? Who else is involved in the cover up?
Beware, beware, beware!!! Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware).
Technorati Tags: milk, China, recall, melamine
