Cambodia alarmed about Chinese milk

Cambodge Soir

24-09-2008

The authorities are following the progress of the crisis while reassuring people about the situation within the country.

The sanitary scandal of milk laced with melanin continues to stain China’s reputation and goes now beyond the borders of the Empire.

In Cambodia, an anonymous source from Camcontrol, the department of the Ministry of Commerce in charge of the inspection of goods imported into the Kingdom, told Cambodge Soir Info that “the offending milk powder isn’t available in Cambodia”. However, the department allegedly sent a warning message to all its representatives throughout the 24 provinces.

“None of the 22 Chinese milk producers introduced an official import application in Cambodia”, specified this same source, adding that agents have visited all the large markets from the capital, without finding any suspect brick of milk. Milk could indeed have been imported illegally into the country. Others worry that dishonest producers could be tempted to sell their stocks in the Kingdom.

Friday 19 September at the O’Russey Market; some shop owners are distrustful. Interviewed by Cambodge Soir Info on the presence of Chinese milk on her shelves, a saleswoman declares that the product was imported from Malaysia but refused to sell it. “I’m keeping this brick for myself”, she said, before making it quickly disappear.

Melanin, a chemical substance which provoked the death of four infants, was detected in 69 baby milk brands. Until this day, 53,000 children have been treated and 13,000 are still being hospitalised. About twenty companies are likely to be involved throughout China.

The crisis is far from over. Melanin has been discovered in Singapore, in other dairy products like ice-cream, yoghurt, biscuits, etc…