Rationing in Europe. Trafficking probes in the Netherlands and New Zealand. Two-year prison terms for smugglers in Hong Kong. Calls for international aid.
China’s voracious demand for foreign-made baby milk has squeezed supplies – and created business opportunities – across the globe, and even inspired an artwork made of milk formula tins from dissident artist Ai Wei Wei.
Demand has soared amid the fallout from China’s scandal over melamine-contaminated milk in 2008, which killed six babies and left hundreds of thousands sick. Since, a series of food safety scandals has left the Chinese mistrustful of domestic produce – especially when it comes to the $12.5bn of formula they feed their offspring.