Just a couple of bad eggs?

China - The Chinese government has begun an ambitious programme to increase the level of food safety, even if analysts and residents in China believe the media may have blown the milk scandal out of proportion.

With four infants dead and tens of thousands others in the hospital, the milk scandal has been deemed one of the biggest negative hurdles China has had to cross this year, after its spectacular performance hosting the Beijing Olympics.

In Singapore, the number of recalled products due to trace melamine content have risen to eight, including childhood favourites like Dutch Lady Milk and White Rabbit Creamy Candy, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

The AVA said it has suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China since 19 September.

In China however, the sentiment seems more muted.

Describing the Chinese as a diligent people imbued with nationalistic pride, Andrew Hatherley, executive director of greater China, for CB Richard Ellis' Industrial and Logistics services told ProcurementAsia the recent scandal is a situation of a "few bad eggs upsetting the nation".

He however suggests the government to put in more safeguards in the supply chain process, including more checks on suppliers.

Officials in China have reportedly begun an ambitious programme to improve food safety, including setting up working groups in nearly every province, food testing centres and replacing outdated equipment.

"Our quality inspection authorities are required to establish nearly 400 product testing centres within the next two year, and 80 of these will be food testing centres," said Hou Linglin, a senior official at the quality watchdog quoted in AFP.

Hou was speaking at a food safety conference in Beijing, where he highlighted the need for new food safety infrastructure. "China is a large food-producing country, and the number of food items needed to be tested is growing very fast. Although the central and local governments have increased their investment every year, currently more than 50% of the equipment has been used for over seven years and is too old to be upgraded," Hou said.