PUNE: Ban on import of milk and milk products from China has been extended for one more year from June 23, 2014 across the country. The banned items include chocolates and chocolate products, candies, confectionery and food preparations with milk and milk solids as an ingredient.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country's food regulatory body, has made it clear that the ban will continue 'unless there are dependable reports about significant improvement in the situation'.
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) official have reiterated that they would initiate strict action against those found selling Chinese milk products in and around the city.
The ban was imposed after it was found that melamine, an industrial chemical which could be harmful if consumed, was present in some dairy products imported from China.
"The ban has been in force since September 2008 and has been extended periodically. The ban has been extended by one more year, from June 23, 2014, since there have been doubts about any improvement in the quality of milk from China. Action will be initiated against those found selling the banned products," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade had first banned import of Chinese milk products in September 2008 after reports suggested that they contained melamine, which damages kidneys in the long run.
"Chinese dairy farmers were using melamine to increase their profit margins. First, they diluted milk by 30% and then added melamine to increase its protein content. A quality-control equipment is designed to detect nitrogen and not melamine," said Dilip Sangat, assistant commissioner (food), FDA Pune.
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