China Sets Limits of Melamine Levels in Food Products

China has set limits for melamine levels in all food products, following the ban on the toxic chemical in dairy products.

A new regulation from China's Health Ministry now requires melamine use in infant food products to be no more than 1 milligram per kilo.

In other food products, melamine is required to be no more than 2.5 milligrams per kilo.

The regulation also prohibits deliberate input of the chemical.

Melamine is used to make plastics, glues, fertilizer and products. But it was found to be added in infant formula in 2008 to boost the product's protein measurements. The scandal led to six deaths and sickened 300,000 children.

Professor Jiang Zhuoqin from Zhongshan University says protein checks should be highlighted in food safety scrutiny.

"There should be a standard on the level of protein in protein products. There are many such cases coming out and it's difficult to supervise without a standard. "

China has been hit by numerous food safety scandals. The latest food scare was found in a northeastern city where bean sprouts were tainted with banned food additives to make the vegetables grow faster and look shinier.