Three firms closed for dangerous products

The Chinese government said it has closed three companies responsible for dangerous exported goods that have caused international concern over locally made products, the Financial Times reported. It revoked the business licenses of a chemicals plant and two companies responsible for deaths in Panama and the US. The chemicals plant sold a chemical containing diethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze, that ended up in cough medicine in Panama, causing more than 90 deaths. The other two companies illegally used melamine in wheat gluten products for pet food in the US, causing deaths of cats and dogs there. A range of products made in China, from toy trains to car tires, have been found to be dangerous in recent weeks. The US, in response, is setting up an import safety panel.