Uncertainties in China's melamine milk scandal linger

Loory: Contaminated milk and other agricultural products in China has been an underreported story. Melamine, used to make plastics and fertilizers, has been used to make milk seem more protein rich. It causes kidney stones and other health problems. In Beijing alone, one estimate says 58,000 children have taken melamine-laced milk. Throughout China, 3,600 children have fallen ill, while four have died. The tainted milk has found its way into cookies, candy and ice cream; some eggs were also contaminated. This story is now a few weeks old — why is it taking so long for Chinese authorities to establish what's going on, who put the melamine into products?