China says overcharging of foreign brands cause for overseas buying

Overpriced foreign infant formula and Chinese buyers' distrust of domestic brand are the leading causes for Chinese people's binge-buying of milk powder overseas, a Chinese official said.

Jiang Yujun, deputy director of a dairy industry technology research centre, made the remarks at a press conference last Friday.

Some foreign brands that sell for about RMB130 (US$20.83) in Europe may cost up to RMB470 (US$75.31) in China, according to Jiang.

In defence of the quality of Chinese milk powder, Jiang also said that it is safe to consume domestic brands.

At the press conference, Ma Chunliang, an official with the China Food and Drug Administration, said that out of 820,000 tonnes of infant formula milk powder sold in 2013, 120,000 tonnes were imported. However, the exact amount is hard to know as some buying was done through the Internet.

Ma also said that China is mulling measures to ensure that what people buy online is also safe.