Shanghai launches new tainted milk probe

SHANGHAI, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Officials in Shanghai say they are investigating whether Dumex milk powder produced by a unit of France's Damone Group was contaminated with melamine.

The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision said the Dumex product under investigation was manufactured before Sept 14 of last year, China's Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday.

The bureau would not say why that date was chosen or give any further information on the investigation.

There were reports last month by overseas media that 48 Chinese infants became ill after drinking Dumex milk powder, but a company spokesman said there were no medical reports or other evidence to back up the stories.

Melamine-contaminated milk power has killed at least six Chinese infants and sickened nearly 300,000 others.

Two people have already been sentenced to death for their roles in the contamination.