Chinese dairy group Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. has reportedly recalled its Quan You branded baby formula due to “unusual” levels of mercury.

According to local reports, the company launched the recall of formula produced between November and May last Wednesday (13 June) after a government quality watchdog alerted the company to the problem. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine detected unusual levels of mercury in several batches of Quan You baby formula, the Chinese Xinhua news agency reported.

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The recall came as the authorities looked to increase awareness of food safety issues through China’s National Food Safety Week.

James Roy, senior analyst at China Market Research Group, told just-food that the news would add to consumer concerns over product safety.

“Consumers have been very worried about the safety of dairy products and from our research most do not fully trust that government efforts to consolidate the industry and improve safety standards have worked. The Yili recall will surely provide more fuel for those fears,” he said. 

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