(Yicai Global) May 19 -- Shanghai regulators have fined the local unit of US healthcare multinational Abbott Laboratories CNY9.1 million (USD1.4 million) over small amounts of vanillin discovered in its infant formula.

The Shanghai Market Supervisory Authority also confiscated illegal revenue of more than CNY3.4 million from Abbott Laboratories Trading Shanghai, the Beijing Consumer Association said on its official WeChat account today.

Vanillin is one of the most widely used taste enhancers for cakes, ice cream, soft drinks and alcohol. It is also used as an antiseptic additive in food and flavoring agents. But milk formula for babies and infants aged up to six months must not contain any flavorings, according to Chinese regulations.

Vanillin can improve a food’s smell and taste, but babies and infants can become dependent on it, said Song Liang, a senior dairy analyst.

Abbott said it has recalled all the faulty milk powder in the market, adding that the small amount of vanillin in the powder is not dangerous for babies and infants.

The company was fined several times over advertising violations in 2019 and last year, according to data from business search platform Tianyancha.

Editor: Tom Litting