Timeline of the 2008 Chinese milk scandal

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This timeline of the 2008 Chinese milk scandal documents how events related to the Chinese dairy products contamination by melamine unfolded. Complaints about kidney problems traced back to a brand of infant formula, subsequent discoveries of melamine contamination of liquid milk, and exported powdered milk of processed food products (using contaminated milk). The scandal decimated Chinese dairy exports, and re-exposed long-standing concerns about food security, corruption, lack of political checks and balances. Though the scandal came to attention in 2008, its roots can be traced back to events prior to 2008.

Contents

2007

2008

Screen grab of query 6021-28494 to the AQSIQ Screen grab-6021-28494.jpg
Screen grab of query 6021-28494 to the AQSIQ
Raccoon dogs Tanuki01 960.jpg
Raccoon dogs
Anti-China demonstration in Taiwan 1025demonstration 4.jpg
Anti-China demonstration in Taiwan

2009

Sanlu Group executives (from left) Tian Wenhua, Wang Yuliang, Hang Zhiqi and Wu Jusheng stand trial on 31 December 2008 Sanlu show trial.jpg
Sanlu Group executives (from left) Tian Wenhua, Wang Yuliang, Hang Zhiqi and Wu Jusheng stand trial on 31 December 2008

See also

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In China, the adulteration and contamination of several food and feed ingredients with inexpensive melamine and other compounds, such as cyanuric acid, ammeline and ammelide, are common practice. These adulterants can be used to inflate the apparent protein content of products, so that inexpensive ingredients can pass for more expensive, concentrated proteins. Melamine by itself has not been thought to be very toxic to animals or humans except possibly in very high concentrations, but the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid has been implicated in kidney failure. Reports that cyanuric acid may be an independently and potentially widely used adulterant in China have heightened concerns for both animal and human health.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Chinese milk scandal</span> Food safety crisis

The 2008 Chinese milk scandal was a significant food safety incident in China. The scandal involved Sanlu Group's milk and infant formula along with other food materials and components being adulterated with the chemical melamine, which resulted in kidney stones and other kidney damage in infants. The chemical was used to increase the nitrogen content of diluted milk, giving it the appearance of higher protein content in order to pass quality control testing. 300,000 affected children were identified, among which 54,000 were hospitalized, according to the latest report in January 2009. The deaths of six babies were officially concluded to be related to the contaminated milk.

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Zhao Lianhai (赵连海) is a Chinese dissident and former food safety worker who became an activist for parents of children harmed during the 2008 Chinese milk scandal. In 2010 he was sentenced to 2+12 years imprisonment for 'disturbing social order'.

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In 2013, a wide-scale recall of products sold by dairy producer Fonterra was announced after suspected botulism-causing bacteria were found during safety tests. The contaminated whey products had been sold to third parties who use it to produce infant formula and sports drinks. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of consumer product was affected by the recall across seven countries, but no cases of sickened consumers were reported. China, which imports most of its powdered milk from New Zealand, instituted a temporary ban on the import of the ingredient from New Zealand.

References

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  2. The poisoning of China's babies, The Daily Telegraph
  3. "China plans compensation after tainted milk scandal". Xinhua News Agency. 10 December 2008. Archived from the original on 12 December 2008.
  4. Sharon Lee (26 December 2008). "Sanlu in $160m debt, assets up for grabs". 中国日报. rednet.com.
  5. Sharon Lee (27 December 2008). "Six on trial over Sanlu tainted milk scandal". 中国日报. rednet.com.
  6. Beatrice Siu (31 December 2008). "Border agents destroy melamine-laced biscuits bound for HK". The Standard . Archived from the original on 4 June 2011.
  7. Ian Ransom (31 December 2008). "China dairy boss on trial amid new melamine scare". The Independent . Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 January 2009.
  8. "China milk exec faults lack of rules, awaits verdict". CNN. 2 January 2009.
  9. "Parents of China milk scandal victims detained". International Herald Tribune. Reuters. 2 January 2009.
  10. Chinese milk scam duo face death, BBC News, 22 January 2009.
  11. Two sentenced to death over China milk scandal, Agence France-Presse, 22 January 2009.
  12. China executes two over tainted milk powder scandal, BBC News, 24 November 2009