China dairies offer text apology

Sanlu chief Tian Wenhua is awaiting sentencing following the end of her trial

Chinese dairy companies involved in the tainted milk scandal have apologised in a New Year text message sent to millions of mobile phone subscribers.

"We sincerely apologise...and we beg your forgiveness," read the note from 22 dairy firms, led by the now-bankrupt Sanlu, China's state news agency said.

At least six babies died and 290,000 became ill from melamine contamination in milk products made by the companies.

Melamine was added so the milk appeared to have a higher protein content.

"We are deeply sorry for the harm caused to the children and the society," the text message said. "We sincerely apologise for that and we beg your forgiveness."

It said a compensation fund had been established for the victims, including the families of thousands of babies still suffering from urinary problems such as kidney stones.

Standing trial

The chairwoman of Sanlu, Tian Wenhua, pleaded guilty to selling fake or substandard products at a trial that recently concluded in northern China.

Timeline: China milk scandal

She is expected to be sentenced to life imprisonment although a verdict may not be reached for several weeks, the official Beijing News said.

Earlier reports indicated that the 66-year-old executive could face the death penalty.

In the past week, another 17 people involved in producing, selling, buying and adding melamine to raw milk have also gone on trial.

Sanlu said it discovered the problem in May and reported it to authorities in Hebei Province on 2 August.

But nothing became public until early September, when the New Zealand government said it brought complaints by Sanlu's partner, Fonterra, to the attention of the Chinese government.