These include the "White Rabbit Creamy Candy" from China, which has been banned in Singapore after the republic's health authorities traced melamine in the product.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the order was issued on Monday.

Other products include biscuits and chocolates manufactured using imported milk powder from China.

The ban, which takes effect immediately, will continue until the matter is resolved in China.

Liow also said the ministry had also ordered a random sampling of these products.

The samples will be sent to the Chemistry Department for tests for melamine.

Speaking to reporters after attending a breaking of fast with the less fortunate here, Liow said the priority was now to ensure people's lives and health were safeguarded.

He warned those found to continue manufacturing products from melamine-tainted dairy products could be charged under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983.

Those found guilty of an offence could be fined up to a maximum of RM100,000 ($41,490) or face a jail term of 10 years.

Liow stressed that the dairy products and milk were so far confined only to those from China.

He assured that all dairy and milk products manufactured and imported from Australia and New Zealand were safe.

Health ministers from 30 Western and Asia Pacific countries at a meeting in Manila, Philippines, on Monday unanimously agreed the need for the World Health Organisation to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division, in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, advised consumers, retailers and importers to obtain updated information regarding the products from the ministry's website at http://fsq.moh.gov.my.

They may also call the Food Safety and Quality Division at 03-88833655/88833503.

The division's director Noraini Mohd Othman advised consumers to read food labels properly before purchasing milk or milk-based products.

"Consumers should also not accept any milk or milk-based products that may be given away free for the festive season," she added.

Milk-based products include items such as skimmed milk, pasteurised milk, UHT milk, flavoured milk, full cream milk, condensed milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt and ghee.

Importers were also advised not to import milk powder, milk or milk products from China for the time being. Items currently in stock may not be sold but instead should be reported to the district or state health departments for further action.

Noraini also said that the ministry had also advised all medical personnel to be on the lookout for signs of kidney malfunction in babies.

This includes crying without proper cause when the baby urinates, blood in the urine and high blood pressure. -- NST