China calls on U.S. to lift ban on dairy products

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Tuesday called on the United States to lift its ban on Chinese dairy products, saying it had cracked down on the use of the toxic additive melamine in milk.

The United States issued an import alert for Chinese-made food products last week, calling for foods to be stopped at the border unless importers could certify they are either free of dairy products or free of melamine.

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the government had been successful in its crackdown on melamine contamination and had reined in the problem, and hoped the U.S. could take "an objective and calm" approach to the issue.

"We feel deep regret that the U.S. insists on unilaterally taking these steps," Qin told a regular news briefing.

"We hope the U.S. can pay great attention to Chinese concerns, as these steps will have an effect on bilateral trade," he added. "We hope the U.S. ... can lift the ban as soon as possible."

At least four Chinese babies died and tens of thousands were made ill this year from drinking milk powder adulterated with melamine, a chemical used to cheat protein tests. Many countries have begun checking Chinese exports of milk and egg products.

Last year, melamine-tainted pet food ingredients from China were blamed for the deaths of dogs and cats in the United States.

Last week's ban widens earlier health alerts about Chinese products. The burden will be on the importer to certify the food does not contain dairy products, or is melamine-free. No adverse health effects have been reported in the U.S. from melamine contamination in dairy products.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)