China-Made Candy Warnings Issued In Australia, New Zealand

SYDNEY (AFP)--A candy linked to China's contaminated milk product scandal will be removed from sale in Australia after New Zealand authorities warned it contains a toxic chemical, officials said Wednesday.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said retailers in Australia had been asked to remove White Rabbit Brand Candies from their shelves.

In New Zealand, officials warned people against eating the sweets after they were found to be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine.

Four children have died and some 53,000 children have become sick in China after consuming milk products tainted with melamine, a product normally used to make plastics.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said the test results, released late Wednesday, confirmed the White Rabbit candies contained enough melamine to cause health problems if consumed in high quantities over a long period.

"People are advised not to consume these milk-based sweets imported from China," it said in a statement.

"It is unlikely that there could be a problem if consumed in small amounts but people with concerns about the consumption of this product should seek medical advice," it said.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority issued a similar warning for the candies.

A Radio New Zealand report said the authority doesn't have the legal authority to issue a recall.

"This is a serious concern," the authority's deputy chief executive said in a statement.