The local quality watchdog has been punished and its director suspended for failing to cope with the inferior milk powder incident in Fuyang City, east China's Anhui Province.

According to an official with the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (SAQSIQ), the Yingzhou branch of the Quality and Technology Supervision Bureau of Fuyang City was seriously warned and its director Jiang Ren was suspended from his post for dereliction of his

duty in the fake milk powder incident that led to 12 deaths and malnutrition of 189 babies in the city.

The municipal Quality and Technology Supervision Bureau was also required to launch an internal inspection for failing to supervise the market and guide its branch.

The SAQSIQ source said the quality watchdogs nationwide should learn a lesson from Fuyang's case to improve their work.

In April this year, inferior milk powders flooded into the rural market in Fuyang. The 12 infants died of malnutrition after being fed with substandard milk powder made of starch, sugar, milkessence and other cheap ingredients but which were deficient in protein, fat and vitamins that are necessary to children's growth.

Nine officials with the city government have received punishment, including the mayor and two vice mayors.