Hunan children hurt by fake milk powder

Yongxing county in Hunan province has established a special task force to investigate a case in which babies contracted rickets after drinking a fake milk powder.

Qiu Chuanhui, director of the Yongxing county market supervision administration, said pediatricians have been asked to conduct comprehensive physical examinations of the victims.

"Meanwhile market supervisors and other departments have launched a campaign to investigate and eliminate the production and sale of fake milk powder for infants and children, as well as related food," Qiu told the local media, rednet.cn on Wednesday.

He promised to punish the lawbreakers in the report.

The task force, which mainly consists of officials from Qiu's administration, the county health commission and the local department of public security was set up after many babies were recently reported to have contracted rickets.

The infants experienced severe weight loss, which gives them the appearance of having large heads.

The fake milk powder was purchased from pharmacies, Qiu said.