Thirteen infants in east China's Anhui Province have died of nutritional deficiencies from consuming substandard milk powder.

According to a recent investigation, 171 infants suffered from malnutrition after being fed with milk powder deficient in proteinand other nutrients. Two are still being treated in hospital.

The majority of them live in rural areas in Fuyang City. The parents bought cheap milk powder which contained little nutritional ingredients at rural shops in Fuyang. The children displayed swollen heads, while their bodies failed to grow properly.

The news aroused widespread repercussions after it was broadcast on television Monday. The Anhui Provincial government issued an urgent circular Tuesday, calling for immediate rectification of the milk powder market and severe punishment of law breakers.

Provincial Governor Wang Jinshan said in a fax to the general office of the provincial government Monday evening that immediate measures must be taken to investigate where the milk powder came from and the responsibilities of various parties, and how to compensate the victims.

So far, Fuyang City has confiscated 6,110 bags of inferior milk powder and sealed 12,862 bags of milk powder. Investigation of keymilk powder wholesale agents is under way.

Source: Xinhua