Cancer-causing toxin found in Chinese baby formula

Routine testing has found a cancer-causing toxin linked to mildewed cattle feed in baby formula in China.

A man surnamed Gong from the Guangzhou Administration of Industry and Commerce General Office confirmed Monday that aflatoxin was found in five batches of Nanshan Bywise formula sold in Guangzhou.

He didn't specify how much formula was tainted. It was produced last year in Hunan province's Nanshan city.

Aflatoxin is produced by a fungus that grows on grains and can appear in milk of animals that eat affected grains.

Aflatoxin previously has been found in milk from China's biggest dairy company, Mengniu, and another company, Changfu.

Quality issues have dogged China's dairy industry. In the worst scandal, at least six infants died in 2008 from drinking formula tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.