Lebanon Bans Chinese Milk Products Imports Over Health Fears

BEIRUT (AFP)--Lebanon has banned the import of all powdered milk products from China over a contamination scandal that has left thousands of children ill in that country, Agriculture Minister Elias Skaff said Monday.

"I have asked that all powdered milk products be banned because of what is happening in China," Skaff told AFP, adding the measure took effect late last week.

He said he has also asked that all Chinese powdered milk products already on the Lebanese market be withdrawn.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, some 500 metric tons of powdered milk is imported each year to Lebanon from China.

Melamine, which is normally used to make plastics, has been found in infant milk formula, making nearly 53,000 children sick in China and killing four.

In one of China's worst ever product recall scandals, countries from Asia to Europe have decided to suspend imports of Chinese milk products or to withdraw them from the market as the number of products involved grows.