Chinese milk poisoning that killed 3 children was intentional

[News_Editor]

Chinese milk poisoning that killed 3 children was intentional

2011-04-10 22:09:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

BEIJING (BNO NEWS) -- The milk poisoning that killed three young children in northwest China this week was the result of intentional food poisoning, officials said on Sunday.

A total of 39 people were sent to local hospitals in Pingliang City in Gansu Province on Thursday, all whom fell ill after drinking milk that was provided by two local diary farms. Samples taken from vomit of the victims and samples from the milk itself showed high concentrations of nitrite.

Nineteen of the victims were released from the hospital as of Sunday, while 17 others remain hospitalized in a stable condition. Three other victims, all under the age of 2 and one only 36 days old, have died as a result of the poisoning.

Few other details have been released by the government, but the state-run Xinhua news agency said several suspects have been apprehended and are being interrogated while the investigation continues.

In 2008, six babies died and 300,000 others fell ill after drinking infant formula tainted with melamine. The chemical was added to the products to make them seem high in protein.

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