China recalls baby formula containing mercury

Chinese dairy maker Yili began recalling sets of baby formula subsequent to authorities' discovery that it contained mercury.

State-owned Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group said the company began to pull back the product Wednesday after a national food safety monitoring body detected "abnormal" levels of mercury in the products. Products being recalled include baby formula manufactured from November 2011 to May 2012.

The safety board carried out an "urgent monitoring" of 715 samples of baby formula by different producers following the Yili case, but up to now no other products were found to be hazardous, according to authorities.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said that authorities were not able to gather samples from 20 firms because they had suspended production of baby formula.

Mercury is an element that can bring damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. — ARA