The EU has imposed tighter border controls on imports of a baby milk ingredient from China after it was singled out as the source of a major contamination scare, according to a text published this week.
The toxin cereulide, which can cause nausea and diarrhoea, was first detected in December in batches of formula containing arachidonic acid oil, triggering recalls in dozens of countries.
The deaths of three infants are suspected to be linked to the consumption of recalled infant formula in France where authorities have launched a probe.
The European Commission said in its Official Journal that it was "necessary to provide for an increased level of official controls and special conditions in relation to the importation of consignments of arachidonic acid oil from China".
Consignments entering the bloc from China will need an official certificate showing they have been tested and found to be cereulide toxin-free.
To account for shipments that may have already left China, the commission said for the next two months half of the consignments entering the bloc from the Asian powerhouse should be physically checked.
Manufacturers including European giants like Nestle, Danone and Lactalis, have recalled formula in more than 60 countries including several EU states since December.
Two EU agencies last week said the risk of exposure was now low.
Justifying its move, the commission said follow-up investigations showed the acid originating in China and used in the manufacture of powdered milk "constitutes the source of contamination".
"Those elements provide evidence that arachidonic acid oil imported from China is likely to constitute a serious risk for human health," it said.
The EU did not name any company but the Wuhan, China-based firm Cabio Biotech has come under scrutiny as the supplier of the ingredient suspected of being tainted.
2008 China milk powder scandal
It is not the first time that China is mentioned in relation to baby milk safety standards. The 2008 Chinese baby milk powder scandal laid bare deep flaws in that country’s food safety oversight and corporate responsibility.
In September that year it emerged that infant formula, chiefly produced by the Sanlu Group, had been adulterated with melamine, an industrial chemical added to diluted milk to falsify protein readings in quality tests.
More than 300,000 infants were affected, tens of thousands were admitted to hospital with kidney stones and other renal damage, and at least six deaths were officially linked to the contamination.
Investigations later showed that Sanlu had received consumer complaints months earlier but failed to halt production or swiftly inform higher authorities, while regulators did not detect or disclose the problem in time.
The scandal triggered a massive recall, the withdrawal of thousands of tonnes of dairy products, and import bans on Chinese dairy, severely undermining confidence in the country’s food exports.
In the aftermath, Chinese parents increasingly turned to foreign-made baby formula, prompting China to import large quantities of baby milk powder and contributing to shortages and rationing measures in several European countries.
Chinese courts eventually imposed severe penalties, including death sentences and life imprisonment, on individuals involved, as Beijing sought to demonstrate a tougher stance on food safety.
(With newswires)
