China has levied a record fine of US$109 million (RMB668 million) on six baby formula producers as part of an anti-competition probe, South China Morning Post reported. The six companies under fire were Biostime, Mead Johnson, Abbott, FrieslandCampina, Dumex and Fonterra. The penalties were imposed amid a drive by mainland authorities to ease consumers' fears about the reliability and quality of domestic dairy brands. At the same time, public confidence in foreign formula brands has plunged after several manufacturers recalled products that contained contaminated ingredients from a production line run by Fonterra.
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