By China correspondent Stephen McDonell

Chinese authorities are shutting dairy companies down following the discovery of new batches of poisoned milk powder.

In 2008, six children died and hundreds of thousands received medical treatment after Chinese producers added the toxic chemical Melamine to milk powder.

It was done to artificially boost protein levels but caused enormous damage to the Chinese dairy industry.

Now inspectors in China have found new batches of Melamine-contaminated milk powder.

The Tiantian and Panda companies from Ningxia have been shut down.

According to local reports, nearly 100 tonnes of tainted milk may still be on the shelves.

There have been no reports of deaths or illnesses from the newly-found contaminated milk.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2813422.htm