UK supermarkets limit purchases to two units per customer

China

British retailers have been forced to ration baby milk formula after a surge in demand from China.

Danone, the manufacturer of Aptamil and Cow and Gate milk formula, said most retailers were introducing a two can per customer limit.

Demand for foreign-manufactured formula in China has been increasing since locally produced formula was found to contain traces of melamine in 2008. Six infants died in the incident and more than 300,000 fell ill.

The rapid growth of China’s new middle class has also fuelled demand for western products and foodstuffs.

Last month, Australia introduced similar restrictions and authorities in Hong Kong arrested 10 people trying to smuggle formula milk into mainland China.

Danone said it was working hard to respond to the UK shortfall, according to the BBC.

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