China's mounting toxic milk scandal, in which three infants have died and more than 6,000 fallen ill, has triggered sackings and detentions with the government denouncing the dairy industry as chaotic.
The health scare erupted after Sanlu Group last week revealed its milk powder contained melamine, which is banned in food, and a subsequent probe found a fifth of 109 Chinese dairy producers made products adulterated with the substance.
It comes on top of a series of scares including lead-tainted toys, toxic pet food, contaminated toothpaste and dumplings, and has again spread overseas with two dairy producers recalling exports to Yemen, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Gabon and Burundi.
At the latest count, 6,244 children have become ill with kidney stones after drinking powdered milk laced with melamine, with three deaths and 158 suffering "acute kidney failure".
China's State Council, or cabinet, vowed to shake up the industry, saying it faced widespread regulatory failings despite efforts to improve food safety after a series of health scandals last year, official newspapers reported today.
"The Sanlu infant milk powder incident reflects chaos in the dairy products market and loopholes in supervision and administration which has not been vigorous," said the summary of a meeting on Wednesday presided over by premier Wen Jiabao.
Melamine is rich in nitrogen, used to measure protein, and so can be used to disguise diluted milk. It can cause kidney stones and other organ problems.
Last year China was beset by domestic and international scares about toxins and dangerous faults in its food and products. Deaths of dogs in the United States were blamed on pet food ingredients from China tainted with melamine.
China launched a crackdown that culminated in the execution of its sacked food and drug safety chief. With renewed public dismay over food safety, Beijing is following a familiar script.
"Resolutely punish law-breaking criminals and conscientiously pursue the culpable businesses, supervisory agencies and administrative heads," declared the State Council.
The mayor of Shijiazhuang, the home city of Sanlu in north China's Hebei province, was sacked following the earlier dismissal of four subordinates, Xinhua news agency reported.
Hebei police said 28 suspects implicated in the toxic milk trade had been subjected to "mandatory measures", or detention, according to the official China News Service. They include Sanlu's sacked chairwoman, Tian Wenhua.
Another six suspects have been arrested.
Reuters