China's Ministry of Science and Technology is soliciting instant melamine testing methods from the public following the scandal in which thousands of infants were hospitalized after drinking milk formula tainted by the chemical.

The testing methods should be able to detect melamine in liquid milk and milk powder within 30 minutes, the ministry said on its website www.most.gov.cn.

The detection limit should be lower than or equal to 2 mg per kg. It is also preferable the testing apparatus is produced and operated at low cost.

Individuals or companies could apply to the ministry before October 7 and tests of the methods would be arranged later, the ministry said.

It also publicized several phone numbers for inquiries: (010) 6211-4172, (86) 13501005813, (010) 5888-1480 and (86) 13910505097.

About 13,000 infants nationwide were hospitalized with kidney problems and at least three had died after drinking baby formula tainted with melamine, a toxic chemical added to raw milk to raise its apparent protein content.

(Xinhua News Agency October 5, 2008)