FDA: Infant formula from China tainted by chemical

WASHINGTON - September 11, 2008 - The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday urged U.S. consumers to avoid all infant formula from China, after several brands sold in that country were found to be contaminated with melamine, a chemical used in making plastics.

The FDA says all U.S. brands of infant formula are safe.

But officials are concerned that some Chinese formula may be on sale at ethnic groceries, particularly in places like New York and San Francisco that have large populations of Chinese immigrants. No Chinese brands are approved for export to the United States.

There have been no reports of illnesses in the U.S.