HONG KONG : The Hong Kong government said on Friday that it has found the toxic chemical melamine in Heinz baby cereal and in rice crackers.

Authorities here said they had ordered a recall of the products and would prosecute the companies involved if there was sufficient evidence.

"We have already informed the trade of the test results and asked them to stop selling the products concerned," the government said in a statement.

"We have also sent warning letters to the retailers and importers concerned, and the importers will recall the affected products."

The two products concerned are Heinz DHA+AA Vegetable Formula Cereal and Silang House of Steamed Potato Wasabi Cracker.

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety would "take out prosecution if there is sufficient evidence".

The latest test results came after a fifth child fell ill in Hong Kong with kidney stones after drinking tainted Chinese milk.

Melamine, which is usually used in making plastics, was found to have been added to milk formula, sickening close to 53,000 infants in China and killing four.

Melamine can make products appear full of protein, but it can be fatal if consumed in large amounts.

More than a dozen countries have now ordered import bans on Chinese dairy products or taken other steps to curb consumption. - AFP/ms