Rising trend started after 2008 formula scandal

BEIJING - China's milk powder imports have surged more than fourfold since 2008, when the melamine-tainted baby formula scandal was exposed, pressing hard on domestic milk powder manufacturers.

Statistics released by the General Administration of Customs on Friday show that milk powder imports to China set a new record each year since 2008. The number surged to 414,000 tons in 2010, tripling that of 2008. In the first three months of this year, 166,000 tons were imported.