The fallout from China’s baby milk scandal has fanned out across the region, with Malaysia following Singapore in banning imports of Chinese milk products. The ban is largely symbolic, as Malaysia does not actually import dairy products from China. But it increases the pressure on Beijing to solve the crisis, which has seen four babies die and thousands more fall ill.

Tests found popular Chinese milk products contaminated with melamine, a chemical normally used to make plastics, but which can help bypass quality inspections. A food safety watchdog said nearly ten percent of milk and drinking yoghurt samples from three major dairy companies contained melamine. The scandal began with powdered formula, but has also spread to liquid milk. China’s state council has demanded answers, and has vowed to punish businesses and local government officials responsible.

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