Milk closures

Almost one-half of all China's dairy producers are being shut down under a new government push to clean up the industry, beleaguered by safety problems since the widespread melamine contamination scandal that was revealed in 2008. But some producers fear the government's latest move — requiring expensive equipment and licensing — might simply put them out of business and put more power into the hands of major producers.

According to state-run media, more than 400 dairies — 45 percent of the countries total number — are to be shut down for failing to pass rigorous new inspection programs. It's unclear how the inspections were conducted, but they would require many smaller dairies to upgrade systems and make major investments.

Xinhua said the new inspections were related to 2008 melamine scandal, in which the inedible chemical melamine was added to dairy supplies to falsely boost protein content in tests and increase profits for watered-down milk. Several infants died after eating poisoned formula and an estimated 300,000 children were sickened with kidney stones and other ailments.