At least 35 bags of adulterated milk imported from China have been found in Bujumbura by the Burundi Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. The five-kilogramme bags were found in a food store in Bujumbura “Asian” neighbourhood, one of the town’s main shopping areas. Laboratory analysis of the milk is said to be ongoing, while consumers have been warned to be more careful with products whose labels do not indicate their manufacture and expiry dates, their originating country, their composition as well as their mode of conservation. Recently, several children have died in China following consumption of adulterated milk. The Burundi government has suspended the importation of Chinese milk, according to the the country’s Home Trade Director, Thérence Nzeyimana. It has also set up an inter-departmental committee to determine further measures to be taken to protect consumers. The committee is made up of representatives of the ministries of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Public Health, Agriculture and Livestock, Interior and Communal Development, Public Security, Economy, Finance and Cooperation.
