BEIJING: China yesterday said it would widen checks to ensure all categories of dairy products produced domestically were contaminant-free, as the number of babies ill from drinking tainted infant formula rose to 6,244.

This new development came a day after the government said melamine had been found in samples of infant formula sold by 20 per cent of all Chinese milk powder companies tested in a nationwide probe.

Yili and Meng Niu, both listed companies and based in Inner Mongolia, issued public apologies yesterday. Sanlu apologised on Monday.Despite this, netizens have threatened boycotts of domestic dairy brands and expressed fears over whether all milk products, not just infant formula, have been exposed to melamine contamination.

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