Insect found in imported milk powder

A citizen in Qingdao surnamed Wang claimed compensation from a distributor after finding a live insect in Friso Care milk powder imported from The Netherlands.

However, the distributor needed Wang to confirm that the insect derived from Dutch origins before compensation could be given, reported China Radio Network on Oct 31.

This is not the first time that there has been a food safety concern with imported milk powder, which was once regarded as high quality by Chinese. The most recent case was in August 2011, when consumers found unknown worms in Dumex milk powder.

Nutritional experts point out that once the temperature of milk powder is higher than 30 degrees, milk fat oxidizes and probiotics will be destroyed. Once the temperature exceeds 70 degrees, it will cause denaturation of milk protein. Insiders also revealed that some enterprises adopt ordinary dry cabinets in order to reduce transportation costs. After an extended time in high-temperatures, the quality of the powder deteriorates and a large number of breeding bacteria multiplies, attracting insects.

After many incidents, Chinese consumers have become increasingly wary of the quality of foreign milk powder. Since the implement of "Food Safety Law", food-related complaints have declined but the process of proving quality still requires high costs and time.

Due to the effort required to make a food safety claim, consumers are often deterred from complaining, leaving cases unsolved.