Bisphenol A (BPA), the most controversial chemical widely used in baby bottles, plastic food and drink containers, has been linked for the first time with increased rates of heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities in adults.

A team of British toxicologists analysed findings from an American survey of 1,455 adults and found that adults with the highest concentrations of BPA in their urine had nearly triple the odds of cardiovascular disease, compared with those with the least amounts of the compound in their systems

The number of babies made ill after drinking milk powder contaminated with melamine has risen to 1,253. Chinese vice health minister Ma Shaowei told reporters at a press conference in Beijing, "As many as 10,000 infants may have drunk the contaminated Sanlu milk powder." The news came after a second baby died due to melamine contamination.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on Monday accused local Chinese officials and Sanlu Group of trying to "put a towel over" the scandal until his government blew the whistle on the issue

Two brothers who sold about 3 tons of contaminated milk to the Sanlu Group a day are arrested in Hebei province on Sunday after it caused the deaths of two infants in China.

The brothers have been running a private milk collecting station since May 2004 and their milk has been rejected by Sanlu previously. They face charges of producing and selling toxic and hazardous food

Authorities in China on Monday reported the arrest of two men as part of the investigation into the controversial contaminated baby milk formula that sickened over 600 infants.

The announcement came as new Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said she learned about the issue on September 5 and directed her senior ministers to coordinate with provincial officials in China to inform their superiors

The number of Chinese babies confirmed to have kidney stones due to drinking contaminated milk powder has risen to 432 as the Chinese government admits the seriousness of the situation.

Health ministry official Gao Qiang said, "This is a severe food safety accident," and added those responsible would be "severe" punished