After Chinese authorities have found that one of the baby formulas sold there is tainted with melamine, causing one death, the Food and Drug Administration warned against using Chinese-made baby formulas, even though none are officially imported in the United States and it is not certain whether they can be found in so-called ethnic stores.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said that Chinese-made baby formulas were found years ago on the shelves of an ethnic retailer, but there are no recent reports of such incidents. Chinese regulators found that the Sanlu-brand milk formula, made by Sanlu Group, was tainted with the chemical melamine, which killed one baby and caused kidney stones in dozens of others.

Abbott Nutrition, Bristol-Myers Squibb unit MeadJohnson Nutritionals, Nestle USA, PBM Nutritionals and Solus Products are the only approved baby formula makers here in the United States.

 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 powder milk involved in the scandal was counterfeit. In addition, it has dispatched teams to independently investigate the incident. The company recalled all powder milk made before August 6.

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