China issues new rules for dairy industry

China's State Council issued new regulations to tighten quality control of the dairy industry in the wake of the tainted milk crisis, state media said Friday, as a second lawsuit was filed by parents of a sickened baby. Contaminated milk powder, laced with the chemical melamine, has been blamed for causing the deaths of four infants and sickening more than 54,000 others. More than 10,000 children remained hospitalized, according to the Health Ministry. Effective immediately, the regulations tighten control of how cows are bred, how raw milk is purchased, and over the production and sale of dairy products, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The measures promise more severe punishment for people who violate safety standards and quality control departments that fail to fulfill duties, it said. Milk collection stations will... [read full story]