China protests milk import bans

China has criticized countries that have banned Chinese milk in the wake of the melamine scandal, AP reported. Speaking at a World Trade Organization meeting in Geneva, Chinese officials said milk powder and other dairy products containing melamine were accidentally contaminated, contradicting a claim from the World Health Organization that the chemical was added deliberately. Chinese officials urged WTO members to base import restrictions on scientific assessments, and to make use of the global trade body’s official notification mechanism if they impose any ban. More than 30 countries have limited the import of Chinese dairy products, and in some cases all Chinese food products, since the contamination was first detected in September.