More China eggs test positive for melamine

Hong Kong: Hong Kong has detected melamine in yet another batch of chicken eggs from mainland China, the third such find in the city in under a week, prompting the former British colony to urge Beijing to take action.

Tens of thousands of children in China have fallen ill with kidney problems in recent months and at least four have died after being fed infant formula that was later found mixed with the plastic-making industrial compound to cheat quality tests.

Subsequent tests found melamine in a variety of Chinese-made products from milk and chocolate bars to yoghurt exported around the world, including egg products in South Korea, leading to items being pulled from shop shelves.

"We have continued to liaise closely with the mainland authorities to ensure that they will trace the source of melamine and whether there are common factors that affect various suppliers," Health Secretary York Chow told reporters.

"At the moment, we have also requested [the mainland authorities to see] whether it is possible to issue a melamine-free certification for eggs that are going to be exported to Hong Kong."

The level of melamine found in the eggs, from central Hubei province, was 3.1 milligrams per kilogram, above the limit of 2.5 in Hong Kong.