You are in > manchester.com  > News > Family to sue Chinese dairy firm

Health

Family to sue Chinese dairy firm

02/10/2008

The parents of a Chinese baby who became ill after ingesting contaminated milk have launched legal action against the dairy company who produced the powder.

Lawyers for the family told the Associated Press news agency that the lawsuit, seeking damages against the Sanlu dairy group, had been filed with a county court in China's Henan province.

It is thought to be the first legal action brought against the dairy firm at the centre of the contaminated milk scandal. Reports claim that it is unclear whether the court will take the case though.

According to the Chinese magazine Caijing, the parents are seeking $22,000 (£12,468) in compensation after their 14-month-old child developed kidney stones.

More than 50,000 children across China have been made ill by the milk products contaminated by the chemical melamine and at least four babies are said to have died.

The Chinese government has ordered that hospitals provide free treatment to children made ill by the milk.