News stories about the contamination of milk with melamine in China fi rst emerged on Sept 11, 2008, and the situation has since become an international health scare. Melamine (also known as tripolycyanamide) is an industrial chemical in the production of melamine resins, which are used in laminates, glues, adhesives, and plastics. When added to milk, melamine increases the nitrogen concentration, which suggests a false increase in protein concentration. Melamine has low oral acute toxicity but excessive exposure in animals causes renal stones. When consumed by human beings, babies and children are aff ected the most because of their dependence for nutrition, compounded by immaturity of their organs, which renders them vulnerable to chemical damage. The practice of mixing preservatives and chemicals, including antibiotics, with milk to make it last longer, taste better, and record higher protein values refl ects an inadequately regulated and managed supply-chain and an agricultural industry in need of reform. Chinese people have only recently started to appreciate milk products and many producers are small farmers, under pressure to maximise milk yield in the face of rising grain prices. Middlemen between milk producers and some of the big dairy companies have been selling substandard milk at discount prices. Although China has a monitoring system for nutritional contents, there is no regular reporting system for the concentration of common chemicals (illegal preservatives), veterinary antibiotic use, and carcinogenic components in dairy products. The Government has now recognised the need for support, training, and investment in the industry to safeguard potential risk to public health. Meanwhile, by Sept 22, the Chinese authorities had reported that 52 857 children had been treated for renal complications. At least four children have died as a direct result. By Sept 28, in Hong Kong where 95% of food is imported, much of it from the mainland, 15 017 children had attended designated clinics. Five of these children were found to have kidney stones, and four of these fi ve had a history of living in the mainland. Because infant formula has been supplied to a large number of countries as far afi eld as Burundi, Yemen, and Tanzania, the UN has issued a worldwide alert and the European Union banned China-made baby-food. In the UK, all products from China containing more than 15% milk as an ingredient will be subject to documentary, identity, and physical checks and those products containing more than 2·5 mg melamine per kg will be destroyed. The USA has advised those travelling to China with small children to take their own baby-food and formula. The Chinese Government’s response has been to curb the risks, punish the perpetrators, and help the victims. The Government has enacted the Emergency Public Health Response Regulations drawn up in 2003 in response to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This plan formulates a contingency response for major emergencies. However, the plan was drafted for infectious diseases such as SARS, and there are no clear guidelines or regulations which govern responsibilities and liabilities in a case such as that of melamine contamination. The Minister of Health has promised care will be provided free to aff ected children and the Government is providing screening to reassure anxious parents. However, for those with permanent clinical problems and aff ected children beyond China’s borders, fi nancial compensation and long-term follow-up is less certain and questions of liability are as yet unresolved. Public concern was raised after New-Zealand-based food-giant Fonterra learnt from its Chinese partner Sanlu Group that infant formula was contaminated. Re ut er s