Only milk and dairy products that meet hygiene standards will be allowed to be sold in Vietnam , the Food Hygiene and Safety Department said.

The announcement follows the latest milk scandal to hit China that resulted in the deaths of three new-born babies. More than 500 dairy firms in China were reportedly forced to close down due to poor hygiene standards.

The department said it had been in close contact with the Vietnamese embassy in China about the matter, and was conducting regular inspections of imported milk.

More drastic measures will be carried out if needed, the department said.

Officials added that about 60 tonnes of Numilac Milk Powder destined for Vietnam was being tested for melamine and nitrit – both potentially fatal additives.

The daily newspaper Sai Gon Giai Phong quoted Nguyen Cong Khan, head of the department, as saying that inspectors had found that products from the Republic of Korea 's Maeil Dairy were being sold in Vietnam .

However, the products have a different series number from those found to contain bacteria staphylococcus aures, which can lead to pneumonia and infections of the blood as well as bone and joints.

The Food and Safety Hygiene Department announced that it had not granted quality certificates to any milk material and formula products from China since early this year.

It is coordinating closely with relevant authorities to inspect milk and food products imported from China. /.