China's melamine-contaminated milk scandal will make it more difficult for the country to export meat products to the US for the first time, according to Richard Raymond, head of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
 

The milk scandal has seen the deaths of four infants and 53,000 others sickened. This is likely to lead to more testing at the US border and calls by legislators to increase controls, Raymond said.

 

Products from about 22 Chinese dairy companies were found contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical that could lead to kidney failure if consumed. A host of countries have taken steps to protect their consumers from the fate of the Chinese babies, and the measures include testing, recalling and banning imports of Chinese dairy products.

 

It was reported that melamine was added to watered-down milk to boost nitrogen count to give the false impression of high protein content.

 

Melamine was also found in US pet food last year and linked to Chinese suppliers.

 

This episode is much worse than the pet food case, said Raymond.

 

"You better believe that melamine's going to be tested for in chemical residuals from all of the products that do come in from China," Raymond said.

 

China signed agreements with the US last year to improve food and drug safety, but this latest food fiasco has once again placed limelight on China's product quality. Earlier this year, pesticide-contaminated Chinese dumplings sickened at least 10 Japanese consumers.

 

Raymond said no Chinese meat is currently imported into the US and language in the bill that funds his agency blocks the USDA from approving the first such product, cooked Chinese poultry. The milk scandal is likely to stiffen the ban further, according to Raymond.

 

China has ordered an overhaul of the dairy industry and increased inspections of imported and exported animal feed. Following the scandal, several officials have been removed from their positions, including the head of China's national product quality/safety board.

 

China needs to reassure its trading partners before food exports can grow, Raymond said.