SINGAPORE SUSPENDS ALL MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS FROM CHINA

SINGAPORE, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Singapore has suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China with immediate effect.

The republic's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said the suspension was taken as a precautionary measure pending investigations into all milk related products from China.

In a statement tonight, AVA said it had discovered in its tests that the
"Dutch Lady" brand of strawberry flavoured milk manufactured in China to be
contaminated with melamine.

However, it said other "Dutch Lady" brand milk products which were not
manufactured in China were unaffected.

AVA said all retailers and importers had been instructed to recall all
these products which would be withheld from sale until they had cleared the
necessary tests.

There is now an international scare over milk related products manufactured
in China after news reports said the Chinese authorities discovered they were
contaminated with melamine that could cause kidney failure.

In addition, AVA said local food manufacturers had also been instructed to
cease the use of milk and milk products from China as ingredients until the
completion of its investigations.

Consignments which had newly arrived or on the way would also be withheld
from sale, it said.

Consumers were also advised not to consume any milk and milk products from
China pending AVA's investigations.

AVA reassured the public that infant formulas sold in Singapore were
safe for consumption as they were not imported from China.

-- BERNAMA