Chinese authorities have promised not to export dairy products until their safety is guaranteed as a scare spreads over tainted Chinese milk, a Japanese official said on Thursday.

A Chinese health official held a one-hour briefing for diplomats based in Beijing on Tuesday attended by officials from several countries, a Japanese government official said in Tokyo.

"The point made there was that the Chinese government has handled the matter promptly and firmly and has taken measures to halt exports of dairy products, which will not be resumed until their safety is fully confirmed," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

China said on Wednesday that tests had found traces in nearly 12 percent of milk powder products of an industrial chemical that has so far sickened 53 000 children, killing four.

The scandal has led to a series of bans or curbs on its dairy exports worldwide, dealing a further blow to China's reputation as a food producer and manufacturer.

AFP