Health authorities in southwestern China's Guizhou Province have issued an emergency recall of one brand of milk powder after more than 150 children suffered food poisoning. The incident comes just weeks after another case in which substandard milk powder killed at least 12 babies.

The bureau warned buyers province-wide to stop using Shanhua brand milk powder immediately. The contaminated powder was made by Guiyang Sanlian Milk Company on April 1 and 2.

The milk powder was confirmed to contain golden staphylococcus bacteria, which can lead to loss of body fluids, heart failure, even death after being drunk by children or the elderly.

The bureau did not say when the children fell sick.

According to the reports from local residents, more than 70 children in two kindergartens located in Wudang District, Guiyang--the provincial capital—began to suffer vomiting, diarrhea and fever after drinking milk made with Shanhua brand powder.

Another 84 children in a Pingba County kindergarten were also made ill by the powder.

Further investigation into the case is under way.

In April this year, inferior milk powders flooded into the rural market in Fuyang, Anhui Province. The 12 infants died of malnutrition after being fed with substandard milk powder made of starch, sugar, milk essence and other cheap ingredients but which were deficient in protein, fat and vitamins that are necessary to children's growth.

The news of deaths sparked a national outcry and drew the attention of top leaders, including Premier Wen Jiabao.

(China Daily June 14, 2004)