A list of substandard food and cosmetics imported to China between August and November 2008 released by the General Administration of Quality Inspection, Supervision and Quarantine of China shows that three types of baby formula milk powder produced by Taiwan Wen Quan Company contain enterobacter sakazakii, a deadly bacteria.
On October 17, 2008, the milk powder which was imported through Hong Kong by the Shenzhen Heng Li An Trade Company was found to contain this bacteria, reports local Chinese media. The infected milk powders weighed a total of 9.624 tons and included Wei Quan Infant Formula Milk Powder, Wen Quan Infant Growing Formula Milk Powder, and Wen Quan Formula Powder for Older Babies.
Other substandard infant food identified included Pauls Milk and a brand of rice powder imported from Australia.
Enterobacter sakazakii is a bacteria that can cause meningitis, enterocolitis, and bacteremia in newborn babies, and it has an expected fatality rate of more than 50%.
