Chinese authorities withdrew more than 7,000 metric tons of dairy products from the market in an attempt to contain the chemical contamination crisis that sickened 53,000 infant babies across the country. Four infants died so far due to intoxication.

To prevent more intoxication cases, authorities pulled 4,247 tons of milk powder and 1,562 tons of liquid milk from the shelves, Xinhua news agency reported. The diary products were reportedly contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical product usually used to produce plastic materials. When added to milk, it can make it look richer in protein.

The news of intoxication prompted several countries to forbid the imports of dairy products from China. Consequently, the “Made in China” label sank to a new low.

Chinese authorities said the latest inspection that was made on samples of 235 different dairy products (except milk powder) and included big brands such as Mengniu, Yili and Sanyuan, found no traces of melamine. Inspectors were sent to check most farms in China after Sanlu Group Co., China Mengniu Dairy Co. and 20 producers sold contaminated dairy products.

However, Chinese authorities said they succeeded in calming the public.

"The central authorities' high-profile intervention, highlighted by the personal involvement of the top leaders, and the exhaustive... treatment of the victims have worked well in calming the public," it said.

Leaving aside the official statements, the Chinese dairy industry suffered a hard blow and will certainly need some time to recover. The fact that so many producers were involved surely surprised the public and it will need time to regain confidence.

As much as 15 countries banned the imports of Chinese dairy products due to the contamination crisis. The Philippines and Kenya were the latest countries to join the group. The Asian nation banned the sales of food containing Chinese milk powder. Italy also increased inspection of imports from China.

There were only four cases of sickened infants outside mainland China so far. All the four ill children were in Hong Kong.