Chiang Mai – Melamine contaminated hazardous milk powder to the tune of 16 tons were burnt in Burma, the ministry of health said.

After the milk powder, manufactured by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, was found to be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, the Burmese Health Ministry burnt it to protect children from health hazards.

"We are still testing and investigating. After which we shall issue an official notice. We started destroying 16 tons of milk powder after it was found  to be contaminated," an official of the Ministry of Health told Mizzima on condition of anonymity. But he declined to name the company.

Four children died and 53,000 fell ill in China after having milk powder contaminated with an industrial chemical used in plastic and fertilizer production.

The Health Ministry said that they were investigating the companies registered in Rangoon and Mandalay which are importing the contaminated milk products.

But shopkeepers in Amarapura said that they had not yet received any notice to stop selling milk powder imported from China.

"No one has come and informed us not to sell these products and we have not yet received any order restricting sales. But the volume of sales has declined. Those who are aware of the problem have stopped using these products. But these products are still on the shelf," a trader said.

Though transportation of the China manufactured contaminated milk products to Kachin State's capital 'Myitkyinar' is banned, local shopkeepers are still selling these products, local people said.

"We cannot send milk products to Myitkyinar now as there are many checkpoints on the road for inspection. But there are some such products on the shelves. The volume of sales has come down and most customers have stopped buying them. But some customers are still using them," a local from Laiza said.

Meanwhile because of news of the contaminated milk products spreading, shops in Rangoon selling mainly New Zealand manufactured milk product - 'Pep' have suffered a fall in sales by 40 per cent, a shopkeeper said.

"The milk products sold at our shop have been tested and there is no information of any contamination like melamine in our product. We use only raw material imported from New Zealand. Nothing is imported from China. We distribute only 'whole milk powder'. Most of the customers dare not use milk products and we have suffered a drop in sales by 40 per cent," he said.