China detains 19 over tainted milk powder

[September 13, 2008]  BEIJING (AP) -- A Chinese official says 19 people have been detained in connection with tainted milk powder linked to kidney stones in hundreds of infants.

Deputy Provincial Gov. Yang Chongxion says authorities are also questioning 78 people about how the banned chemical melamine was added to milk used by a major dairy.

Yang said Saturday he had no details of the identities of those detained. But he said investigators are looking into whether dairy farmers added melamine to milk in violation of Chinese safety standards.

China's health minister said Saturday a small amount of tainted milk powder was exported to Taiwan but none went to any other foreign markets.

[Associated Press; By JOE McDONALD]

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