SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has given the go-ahead for some China milk products to be put back on sale with immediate effect. These include butter, ghee and non-dairy creamer.

Over the next three weeks, AVA will continue testing other China-made products and those deemed safe will return to the stores.

The first batch of approved products passed two rounds of tests and are deemed low-risk.

Also falling under the same category were products made in China with milk from other countries.

But local importers will have to give documentary proof of the milk's origin to AVA and the products must undergo tests before they can be brought in.

AVA has separated the products for testing into risk categories of high, medium and low. That was determined by factors such as frequency of consumption and level of milk content. For instance, some non-dairy creamers contain about two per cent of milk.

For instance, some non-dairy creamers could still contain about two per cent of milk, as they contain a form of milk protein called casein.

High-risk products include milk and ice cream. Medium-risk products include biscuits, cake, bread, chocolate, crackers, candies and other confectionery products.

Dr Chua Sin Bin, CEO, AVA, said: "When we lift the ban on import, we will require the product to be fresh products. Because this is a man-made problem, the moment they are able to stop and the new products will be safe."

The agency said a team will head to China soon for a field inspection visit for about a week, including farms and milk collection centres.

AVA will consider lifting the current ban after they have a clear picture of the improvements the Chinese have made to their food safety system. - CNA/vm