The maker of White Rabbit candy put the product back on store shelves yesterday as it tries to rebuild the image of the iconic brand after several countries found the sweet tainted with melamine. Producer Guan Sheng Yuan halted exports and domestic sales last month after Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand found samples contaminated with the industrial chemical. The company, owned by Shanghai's Bright Foods Group, never admitted that the candy contained melamine, nor did it issue an official public recall that would include refunds for consumers. Instead, Guan Sheng Yuan resumed production with milk it said was guaranteed free from melamine and put White Rabbit back in Shanghai stores with new packaging bearing a green seal. Two people dressed as white rabbits danced and waved beneath a banner reading 'The healthy White Rabbit jumps back into the big market', at the relaunch at Shanghai's most famous food store. As company officials praised the sweet to the 100 onlookers, gifts were offered to those customers buying in bulk, including a stuffed toy rabbit for purchases of more than 50 yuan (HK$56.85). Guan Sheng Yuan boss Weng Mao said the company would ramp up production for national sales but exports would not resume until at least late in the year. 'In the next two months, we will put White Rabbit candy back on to the national market to meet domestic demand,' he said, adding that the company hoped to resume exports after resolving overseas claims for compensation. Some customers said they were still wary of White Rabbit, which has a history of more than 50 years. 'Since the melamine issue occurred, I stopped consuming dairy products and it's quite likely that I will no longer buy the candy,' Gao Weihong said at the Shanghai No1 Food Store. Yan Sicheng added: 'I am not going to buy it soon because there is still doubt in my heart. I will not consider buying it again until the fear of melamine fades away.' Others said they were willing to give the candy a second try. 'I will consider buying it again, since the source of milk has changed,' said one woman. Additional reporting by Lilian Zhang and Irene Chan
