LAST SEPTEMBER, police in Shanghai municipality found that several suspects produced over 17,000 tubs of counterfeit milk powder bearing the labels of well-known domestic brands, which were sold in seven provinces and municipalities. Beingmate was recently reported to be involved in the scandal. It is time to strengthen the food safety regulation system, comments China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang:

After the 2008 scandal, in which excessive melamine was found in domestically produced milk powder, authorities said they were strengthening their supervision over dairy products. This new scandal belies their words.

Behind the large quantity of counterfeit milk power produced there must be a complete illegal industry. Had the watchdogs performed their duty even a little, how could such an illegal industry flourish?