India has banned the import of milk and milk products from China after reports that they might be contaminated with toxic chemicals, a government statement said Thursday.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a notification prohibiting the import of dairy products from China with immediate effect for three months, reported dpa.
Chinese authorities acknowledged last week that melamine, a toxic chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers, had been found in milk processed by three major Chinese dairy companies.
Four Chinese infants have died of melamine-induced kidney diseases, and at least 53,000 have fallen ill.
Several countries in Asia, Europe and Africa have since placed curbs on the import of Chinese milk products.