Taiwan's Wei Chuan infant milk power containing fatal bacteria has been successfully recalled and no powder entered the mainland market, Li Yuanping, spokesman of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said on February 2.

The administration said on its Website that the infant milk powder failed quality tests when 9.62 tons of milk powder imported from Taiwan between August to November was found to contain a deadly bacteria.

According to the administration, 9.62 tons of milk powder contained enterobacter sakazakii, a bacteria which can cause meningitis, inflammation of brain's protective membranes, developmental problems and even death.

Li said media and customers were concerned about food safety, but some media sources lacked detailed information about the disposal of the tainted products.

The milk powder was among the 852 batches of food, beverage and cosmetic products that failed quality tests. The list included wines, frozen meat and fish, water and biscuits imported between August and November from the United States, Japan and Spain.

All contaminated products have been disposed of in accordance with national regulations, Li said.

Pauls milk, baby formula produced by Parmalat Australia, also failed quality checks. Products were found to contain excessive bacteria.

China has stepped up quality tests since the Sanlu milk powder scandal broke out last September. Sanlu baby milk powder was found contaminated with melamine, killing six children nationwide, and sickening 296,000 infants, according to the Ministry of Health.

As of January 22, China has conducted 36 rounds of quality tests on Chinese milk powder. The latest quality inspections showed the products continued to meet new limits on melamine.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2009)