The story

The Director of Hanwei Eggs was contrite. "We solemnly apologize to consumers," said Han Wei. "We apologize to the distributors. We solemnly declare that our company has never purchased melamine. We have never adopted melamine to the feeds or products." But somehow melamine got into eggs produced at the company's plant in Dailin in northeast China.

Melamine is a chemical used in making plastics and fertilizer. But in recent times, it has become the badge of shame for the Chinese food industry after being illegally added to food products to suggest they contain a higher level of protein. U.N. officials are concerned that melamine has been introduced to animal feed and may turn up in chicken, pork, farmed fish and other products.

Tainted eggs from Hanwei were discovered in Hong Kong late last week; melamine was present at nearly double the maximum permissible level.

Health officials in Hong Kong say that there's little risk to human health -- and that a child would have to eat perhaps 20 eggs a day for the melamine to have an effect. Learn more about the chemical melamine

But Wal-Mart is taking no chances. It has pulled Hanwei eggs from the shelves of its supermarkets across China. The U.S. superstore's step has not been followed by many other retailers in China, and CNN found eggs plentiful at Beijing markets on Tuesday.Watch more on the local reaction to melamine found in eggs Read full article »

All About China • Food Safety • Hong Kong