Jakarta/Manila: Indonesia and the Philippines have banned the import of baby formula from China following detection of the industrial chemical melamine in the Chinese product which killed at least four babies and sickened thousands in China.
"For the time being, the Chinese products are banned from the market" while authorities examine Chinese milk formula sold in Indonesia, Health Ministry spokeswoman Lily Sulistyowati said on Tuesday.
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The test results would be known in the next two or three days, the state-run Antara news agency quoted Sulistyowati as saying on late Monday.
The Indonesian government would test all baby formula sold domestically to check if any had been tainted during production, she said.
The Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs also called on consumers to report to authorities if they encounter Chinese milk products in stores, supermarkets or groceries.
"The Bureau of Food and Drugs is directing all licensed importers and distributors of registered milk products sourced in China to immediately stop from further importing, selling and offering for sale these products," the agency said in an advisory.
Melamine is used as a binding agent and coating for particle, fibre and laminated board. It is also used to make fertilizers.
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