Nearly 13,000 sick in milk scandal
(09-22 10:36)
The number of Chinese infants sick in hospital after drinking tainted milk formula has leapt to nearly 13,000, and Premier Wen Jiabao told alarmed parents that companies responsible will face harsh punishment.
The Health Ministry said the number of children ill from milk powder contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine had risen from a previously announced total of 6,244 -- which included many who had left hospital -- to 12,892.
Over 80 percent of the sick were aged under two.
The big jump was announced late on Sunday, another escalation in China's spreading milk scandal that has tarnished the "made in China'' brand after last year's scandals over everything from the safety of toothpaste and drugs to petfood and toys.
REUTERS
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