The counterfeits were low-quality products, which the fraudsters sold to Chinese distributors under the names of various well-known brands. The US manufacturer Abbott Laboratories and its popular “Similac” brand as well as the Chinese best seller Beingmate were most heavily affected.
Investigations into the case had already begun in September of last year. In the course of raids in December and January, the investigators were able to secure some 1,000 cans of counterfeit milk powder. In addition, some 20,000 empty cans and 65,000 counterfeit Similac labels intended for use in further counterfeit production were confiscated. Six suspects were arrested. The counterfeiters allegedly earned around 2 million yuan (273,000 euro) with their illegal activities.
The authorities are currently attempting to find the counterfeit milk powder that has already been sold. According to the latest information, investigators assume that some 3,600 cans have already found their way to end consumers. The counterfeits allegedly do not, however, represent a health risk.
The sales of Abbott and Beingmate products in certain regions of China seem to have plunged in reaction to the news – an unsurprising development, as this wasn’t the first milk powder scandal in China. In 2008, a wave of adulterated infant formula shocked the Chinese population, causing liver damage among 300,000 infants. Six infants died as a result of the health effects of consuming the poor-quality products.
