The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday banned all infant formula and other milk products coming from China.

In a text message to ABS-CBN News, the DOH said the ban is effective immediately, pursuant to Article 10 of the Consumer Act.

Earlier in the day, the Bureau of Food and Drugs also banned the import and sale of Chinese milk products due to the melamine contamination crisis.

“...in the interest of protecting public health and welfare, directing all licensed importers and/or distributors of registered milk products sourced from China to immediately stop temporarily from further importing distributing, selling and offering for sale the aforesaid products,” said BFAD in an advisory dated September 22.

The BFAD advisory, which was signed by Director Leticia Barbara Gutierrez, said that the ban on importation and sale would be in effect “until further notice from this bureau when data are presented assuring the products' safety and fitness for human consumption.”

BFAD reiterated that there is no infant formula produced in and imported from China that is registered with the agency.

BFAD advised consumers "not to purchase and use outright infant formula from China that might have been brought into the country through unauthorized means."

Consumers were also warned "not to purchase for the time being, milk products that are manufactured or sourced in China until further notice from this bureau when data are presented assuring the products' safety and fitness for human consumption."

The BFAD advisory reiterated the agency's call to local officials to conduct investigation on the "unauthorized" import of infant formula and milk products manufactured in China.