China has ordered its hospitals to do everything necessary to protect the health and lives of babies who are sick after being fed tainted baby formula milk produced by Sanlu. The authorities will support all the costs of the treatment, regardless of their status. Specialized hospitals will deal with the sick children, and specific schemes for diagnosing and treating the babies have been drawn up, to ensure that hospitals use the best options for treatment.

Dozens have been arrested in the scandal and will be severely punished by the Chinese government after the investigation. As China ranks first in capital punishments (U.S. ranks fifth), it is also possible that the government executes some of those responsible. It appears that the company received complaints as early as March, but failed to notify authorities.

Chinese regulators found that the Sanlu-brand milk formula, made by Sanlu Group, was tainted with the chemical melamine, which killed two babies and caused kidney stones in more than a thousand. The same substance was found in pet food ingredients from China and linked to the deaths and illnesses of hundreds of cats and dogs in 2007. Melamine can make food appear to have higher levels of protein in testing but can also cause kidney failure. It is normally used in manufacturing plastic materials.

The Sanlu Group has stated that the milk sent in by suppliers was tainted, most probably, at the milk-collecting stations. Two brothers surnamed Geng in Zhengding County, Hebei, have acknowledged that they added melamine to milk sent to Sanlu. In addition, it has dispatched teams to independently investigate the incident. The company recalled all milk powder made before August 6 and issued a public apology.

Four years ago, 13 Chinese infants died of nutritional deficiencies after being fed substandard milk powder. About 170 other babies suffered from malnutrition and other symptoms including swollen heads and an inability to grow after being fed deficient milk powders. The case triggered widespread investigations into food and health safety at the time. Lab analyses revealed that the formula involved in the scandal was made of starch, flour and sugar.