Arrests made after tainted milk discovery

HOHHOT, China, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Six men have been arrested in northern China after the discovery of milk products containing the chemical melamine, an official says.

A public security bureau spokesman in Hohhot said three of the unidentified men have been accused of mixing a fake protein formula with fresh milk supplies, Xinhua reported Thursday. The official state-run news agency said the milk later tested positive for melamine.

The anonymous spokesman said the other three suspects were accused of distributing melamine-tainted goods.

Xinhua said 36 people have been arrested in Hebei Province where the tainted milk scandal began. Tainted milk has been blamed for tens of thousands of illnesses, including 3,654 infants still hospitalized in China.

Meanwhile, top Chinese legislators are working on a new food safety law to prevent such contaminated goods from being released. Xinhua said the proposal being discussed could potentially ban the addition of unauthorized chemicals and materials from food production throughout China.