Following the scandal in which rice contaminated with pesticides or mold toxin was resold to companies, an industrial chemical is now suspected of having found its way into food products. Marudai Food Co. has begun a recall of five products possibly made with melamine-tainted milk purchased from a Chinese firm.
Melamine causes kidney stones as well as more serious kidney ailments. What is worrisome is the slowness on the part of the government and the food maker to take action on food safety.
The mixing of melamine with milk in China surfaced Sept. 11. But it wasn't until Sept. 20 that Marudai started a recall of suspected products and the health ministry called for stricter checks of food items processed in China. A Marudai subsidiary in China had purchased contaminated raw milk from Yili, a major Chinese dairy firm, through Sumitomo Corp., a trading house.