Melamine is an industrial chemical that is used in the process of making plastics and fertilizers,however, it was discovered in the milk powder that was used to feed millions of infants in China. In 2008, more than 300,000 infants in China became ill from consuming milk powder that had been tainted by melamine; when melamine is mixed with food products, it disrupt the balance of protein content within the body resulting in kidney stones and kidney failures. Sanlu was China’s largest milk powder producer until the tainited milk news broke out in 2008. It allowed more than 900 tonnes of toxic milk to leave its plants before terminating production.
This series of scandalous events has not only resulted in product recalls around the world, but furthermore caused the downfall of the once prestigious Sanlu milk company which insured the public of safe and reliable products. By using melamine, the company was able to cut down its protein usage, thus creating more profit and productivity of milk powder. The company’s unethical way of maximizing profit has jeopardized the health and safety of the future generation.