China screens 22.4 mln babies fed melamine-tainted milk

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Chinese media) -- The Ministry of Health

said Monday that China had screened 22.4 million babies who were fed

melamine-tainted formula milk, and that 296,000 babies were sickened by the

tainted milk.

Ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an said at a regular press

briefing that 52,898 sick babies had been treated in hospitals nationwide by the

end of December, 52,582 of them were cured.

Mao said the Ministry, in conjunction with other

related government bodies, was trying to properly handle the public health

emergency, investigate causes of the accident and strengthen inspection on food

safety.