Thai mums are worried about tainted milk products sloshing in from China

The contaminatedmilk scare has deepened after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is now testing samples of milk powder taken from Dutch Mill Co's warehouse.

Supaporn Auanthothai, a mother of two, said that her family has switched to soy¬beanbased products, with yoghurt and milk off the menu for her kids. "No chocolate either," she said.

Parents have turned to the Net, with popular parent forums like Rakluekfamilygroup.com offering the latest information as well as advice on soybean milk.

Climate of fear

Busara Uthaisri, a mother in Chon Buri's Sri Racha, said that a climate of fear had gripped the province. "Most people are scared and a lot of mothers have stopped giving powder milk to their kids," she said.

While Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung was afraid that the FDA report would affect Thailand's trade ties with China, most consumers are more concerned about accurate and timely in¬formation.

Busara believes that the gov¬ernment agency should do more on the matter. "If someone hap¬pens to our children, we have no idea who to turn to."

Fellow mother and consumer Jane Baungam said that she is not panicking, but certain products she's unsure of like Wall's Cornetto ice cream and M&M chocolates are off her shopping list.

Mother of two Jiraporn Arya said that she keeps cellphone messages from friends warning of possible dangerous products so that she will not forget the names.