4th infant dies in China contaminated milk scandal+

BEIJING, Sept. 18 Kyodo - A fourth infant has died in China after drinking contaminated milk, state media reported Thursday.
The latest death was recorded at a hospital in the northwestern region of
Xinjiang after the child had been fed baby milk powder contaminated with the
toxin melamine, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The government announced Wednesday that more than 6,200 infants have developed
kidney stones after drinking contaminated baby milk formula.
State media reported Thursday that 18 dealers have so far been arrested for
allegedly selling dairy firms milk contaminated with melamine.
Xinhua said some of those arrested have admitted adding the chemical to
watered-down milk to make it appear as if it was high in protein.
The State Council, or Cabinet, announced Wednesday that a major overhaul of the
dairy industry will be carried out, with the industry's supervisory structure
and management reportedly described as ''chaotic.''
Thousands of parents around the country have been taking their babies for
check-ups since the contamination scandal came to light last week.
The government is also carrying out nationwide checks on the quality and safety
of milk and other dairy products.
The controversy over baby milk powder comes after China was hit by a series of
food safety scares, including the contamination of Chinese-made dumplings with
pesticide which made several people ill in Japan.
==Kyodo