SCMP defends report on trans-fat levels in baby milk formula

Xinhuanet, a news portal affiliated with Xinhua, claimed in an article on Tuesday that the South China Morning Post was spreading fear among mainland parents by saying that mainland brands of infant milk formula contain trans-fat.

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Infant milk powder on sale at a pharmacy in Wan Chai. Hong Kong has not set limits for the trans-fat content of baby formula but is considering it. Photo: David Wong

Published: 10:33pm, 9 Jul 2013Updated: 11:19am, 10 Jul 2013

Xinhuanet, a news portal affiliated with Xinhua, claimed in an article on Tuesday that the South China Morning Post was spreading fear among mainland parents by saying that mainland brands of infant milk formula contain trans-fat.

In one of the articles, it said that a Hong Kong newspaper "used the mainland public's high concern and sensitivity towards baby formula, as well as their lack of familiarity with trans-fat, to create irrational fear".

On Monday, the Post published a front-page article headlined “Trans-fat found in baby milk formula”. It reported that laboratory tests commissioned by the newspaper found three popular mainland baby formula brands contained trans-fat, which experts said could lead to heart disease.

Xinhuanet noted the newspaper article came soon after the National Development and Reform Commission launched investigations into alleged anti-competitive practices by five foreign baby formula brands.

“The SCMP is an independent and credible media organisation in Hong Kong,” said Wang Xiangwei, editor-in-chief of the Post. “In the interests of our readers, we ran a factual and fair story that accurately reflected the findings of experts in the field.”

In the interests of our readers, we ran a factual and fair story that accurately reflected the findings of experts in the field

Wang Xiangwei, editor-in-chief of the

Wang said the decision to test the infant formulas was made months ago and was not in response to the mainland’s current campaign against alleged monopolistic pricing tactics by certain foreign companies.