Some 70 percent of people choose imported milk powder as they lack confidence in domestic brands, according to a survey by China Central Television (CCTV), the Beijing Morning Post reported Monday.

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The year 2010 witnessed the first decrease in the production of domestic infant formula milk powder, with a 12 percent decline, said Song Kungang, chairman of Chinese Diary Industry Association.

Food safety remains a public concern in China. This month the Ministry of Agriculture stepped up scrutiny of milk products after reports milk powder was tainted by a leather hydrolyzed protein.

In 2008, melamine-tainted milk products caused the deaths of at least six infants and left 300,000 children sick.

However, some experts warn that people should not blindly rely on imported brands. More than 450 tons of overseas powdered milk was returned from March to July last year, some due to excessive amounts of Zink and others containing the potentially deadly Enterobacter sakazakii.