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The discovery of unusual levels of mercury in Chinese-produced infant formula has reignited fears about the safety of the country's scandal-ridden dairy industry, and underlined the severe challenges that the government faces in improving food safety.

 

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., 600887.SH -10.01% China's top dairy producer by sales, said it was recalling some infant formula products after government inspectors discovered the mercury contamination.

 

A company statement said that the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine found the metallic element in several of the company's "Quanyou"-brand infant formulas that were manufactured between November 2011 and May 2012. It said the company began the recall on Wednesday.