Chemical blamed for infant deaths found at top producers
The mainland's milk contamination scandal escalated last night after a chemical blamed for killing two babies and leaving more than 1,200 ill was found in infant formula made by another 21 companies.
The central government ordered an immediate halt to the sale of all baby milk products by 22 companies, which include Mengniu, Yili and Sanlu - the top three dairy product manufacturers on the mainland, CCTV reported.
The order came as the first heads began to roll over the scandal, which was sparked by the discovery of tainted formula at Sanlu, a state-owned manufacturer based in Shijiazhuang , Hebei province .
Sanlu chairwoman, general manager and party secretary Tian Wenhua was removed from her posts following an emergency meeting by the Hebei provincial Communist Party Standing Committee.
Also sacked were Shijiazhuang Vice-Mayor Zhang Fawang, who is in charge of agriculture, and three other officials: the heads of the city's livestock and aquatic products, food and drug, and quality inspection bureaus.
