How many babies need to die or become ill before China finally stops

Putting melamine into our food?

Brussels, Belgium (AHN) - Soy-based imports from China intended for babies and young children will no longer be allowed throughout the 27-member European Union. The European Commission banned on Wednesday the entry of all foods that are soy-based after the discovery of melamine in a soybean meal in China.

Aside from the prohibition, the EC also required laboratory testing for all soy-related foods and shipments or baking powder. The tested food must contain less than 2.5 milligrams of melamine per kilogram to be allowed entry into the EU. The ban is expected to be in force by the end of this week.

And it's not just China who seems to be indifferent to causing death:

At least 34 babies have died in Nigeria after being administered with a locally made teething mixture.

Six more child deaths were recorded on Wednesday, on top of 28 reported last month in three locations after being given "My Pikin", a teething syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol, which is blamed for causing kidney failure.

Barrel of crude pushes past $120

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Crude futures climbed to uncharted territory in New York Monday as concerns about supply disruptions in Nigeria and weakness in the U.S. dollar lifted prices past $120 a barrel in electronic trading.

Crude oil for June delivery climbed as high as $120.21 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract was last up $3.43, or 3%, at $119.75 after peaking at $120 in regular trading.

Leanan of The Oil Drum has an excellent list of the present day attitudes, effects, and future consequences.

crossposted at American Street