Manila - Health authorities detected another contaminated Chinese milk product, the fourth to be found in the Philippines, a senior official said Wednesday. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the Lotte Strawberry Snack Koala Biscuit was found positive of containing traces of the industrial chemical melamine.
Health authorities earlier found traces of melamine in Jolly Cow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk, Greenfood Yili Pure Milk and Mengniu Original Drink Milk.
Melamine is used as a binding agent and coating for particle, fibre and laminated board. It is also used to make fertilizer.
The health department's tests on Chinese milk and milk products were conducted following reports four babies died and more than 53,000 fell ill in China after drinking melamine-tainted infant formula.
Duque said the Philippines' Bureau of Food And Drugs has conducted tests on 148 Chinese milk and milk products and so far only four were found positive of melamine.
More than 50 other milk and milk products are still to be tested, according to Duque.
The Philippines banned the sale and import of Chinese milk and milk products after the scandal broke out over fears these were contaminated with melamine.
"The ban remains until we completed all the tests," Duque said.
