Incident File · 2008-09-12
Sanlu melamine-contaminated infant formula scandal
In 2008, Sanlu infant formula and other dairy products were confirmed to be contaminated with melamine, sickening large numbers of infants and causing deaths.
Incident Severity
★★★★★
The incident affected infants, caused deaths, and exposed hundreds of thousands of consumers, so it is rated 5 stars.
Verified by two or more sources
Key Facts
- Jurisdiction
- China
- Category
- Adulteration
- Affected
- 300000
- Deaths
- 6
- Injured/Ill
- 54000
- Duration Days
- 180
- Sources
- 2
WHO and Chinese media reports describe the Sanlu case as one of the largest food safety crises in recent years. Melamine was used to inflate apparent protein readings, leading to nationwide testing, recalls, criminal trials, and Sanlu’s collapse.
Companies and Brands
Direct company
Parent or controller
Brand or licensor
Legal or Regulatory Basis
Chinese authorities linked infant kidney injuries to melamine-contaminated powdered formula; criminal proceedings followed for producing and selling poisonous food.
Sources
- Melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula in China, World Health Organization, 2008-09-19
- Probe finds producer knew of toxic milk for months, China Daily, 2008-09-22