The state quality watchdog recently published a list of 852 batches of substandard food and cosmetics imported between August and November 2008, among which were 3 kinds of baby formula milk powder containing pathogens with a more than 50 percent risk of mortality.

More than nine tons of formula milk powder produced by Taiwan-based Wei Chuan Corporation were found to contain Enterobacter sakazakii when tested by Hong Kong customs last October. The milk powder, including infant formulas and formulas for young children, was imported by Shenzhen Heng Li'an Trade Company, according to a statement from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ).

Enterobacter sakazakii is a bacteria that can cause meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis, both deadly diseases with a mortality rate of up to 80 percent in infants.

Substandard products were also discovered in deliveries of milk from Parmalat Australia and rice flour for infants produced by Bellamy's Organic Farms of Tasmania, Australia.

Other substandard foods, including wine, frozen fish and meat, drinking water and biscuits were detected in imports from several countries and regions including the US, Japan and Spain, according to the list. One example was folic acid nutrition tablets found to contain excessive mould.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing February 2, 2009)