The latest tests have found that Chinese liquid milk met the new temporary restrictions on melamine, the country's top quality control agency said on Friday.

It was the 19th test on the industrial chemical following the tainted baby formula scandal that killed at least three infants and sickened more than 50,000 others, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

The latest test covered 659 batches of liquid milk from 72 brands in 27 major cities nationwide, the agency said.

At present, 9,551 batches of liquid milk from 187 brands in 41 cities produced after September 14 were tested and all were in line with the limit, it added.

Melamine, often used in the manufacturing of plastics, was added to sub-standard or diluted milk to make the protein levels appear higher.

China set temporary limits on melamine content in dairy products earlier this month. The limits were a maximum of 1 mg of melamine per kg of infant formula and a maximum 2.5 mg per kg for liquid milk, milk powder and food products containing at least 15 percent milk.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2008)