Paramaribo: Suriname says it has confiscated milk powder imported from China after tests showed it contained melamine.

The Agriculture Ministry says a local beverage company notified it about the shipment on suspicion it could contain the toxic chemical. It says samples were sent to the Netherlands, where they tested positive.

The ministry said late Thursday in a statement that an undisclosed amount of powder was seized. It gave few specifics on the seizure or tests, and did not say how the shipment arrived in the country.

Suriname banned Chinese dairy products last month amid concerns over the chemical, which has killed four infants and sickened more than 54,000 children in China.

Neighbouring Guyana has instituted a similar ban.
Source : PTI