China Milk Scandal: Father Punished for Food Safety Activism

November 11, 2010 The milk scandal that began in China in 2008 has served another ruling: Zhao Lianhai, the father of a toddler who became ill after drinking the milk containing the chemical melamine was sentenced yesterday to 2 1/2 years in prison for inciting social disorder. According to his lawyer, Li Fangping, “prosecutors leveled three charges against Zhao: That he organized a gathering of a dozen parents of sick children at a restaurant, held a paper sign in front of a court and factory involved in the scandal as a protest, and gave media interviews in a public place.”

Melamine is a chemical compound that is largely used to make plastics. When added to food it can increase the protein levels, but it is toxic to the human body. Ultimately, six children died from the contaminated milk, hundreds of thousands became ill, and “several dairy industry figures were prosecuted and punished, including three people who received death sentences.”

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