China Tourists Stock Up on Infant Formula

May 3, 2004 06:17 AM EDT


HONG KONG - Chinese visitors to Hong Kong are stocking up on infant formula
after bogus baby milk in the mainland reportedly caused at least 50 deaths,
local vendors said Monday.

Last month, China's state media said police detained five wholesalers
suspected of selling the phony formula in the eastern province of Anhui,
where the deaths occurred.

Between 50 and 60 babies reportedly died from malnutrition after being fed
the powder. Official reports cited 171 cases of infants afflicted with
malnutrition due to the bad milk powder.

Hong Kong drug store Watsons reported a 60 percent increase in infant
formula sales in recent days, spokeswoman Sharon Foo said. Supermarket
chain Wellcome recorded a 20 percent increase over the weekend, spokeswoman
Diane Chiu said.

Competitor ParknShop said its sales jumped 20 percent last week.
Spokeswoman Teresa Pang said mainlanders who frequently visit Hong Kong on
business are bringing stocks back home.

The fake formula in China caused "big head disease" among infants - a
condition in which the babies' heads grow abnormally large while their
bodies waste away.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the government had learned its lesson and
vowed to step up food safety measures.

"On this matter, we will be responsible to the people," he said in remarks
from Munich, Germany, aired on Hong Kong television station ATV Monday. Wen
is currently on a European tour.

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