The number of arrests connected to China's tainted baby milk powder scandal has risen to six with the apprehension of two more suspects in the northern city of Shijiazhuang.

Two villagers were charged with selling the chemical melamine and adding it to milk sold to the Sanlu Group based in the Hebei provincial capital Shijiazhuang.

The dairy giant was the first company exposed in the tainted milk scandal that had sickened more than 6,200 infants to date, including three fatally, Shi Guizhong, a Hebei Provincial Public Security Department spokesman said at a press conference here on Wednesday.

The men arrested were identified as a 52-year-old resident surnamed Hu from Yangjiazhai Village, Beizheng Township in Shijiazhuang's Yuanshi County, and a 58-year-old surnamed Bian from Chengdongqiaoxi Village, Dahe Township in Shijiazhuang's Luquan City, he said.

The sickened infants had developed kidney stones after drinking Sanlu's tainted baby formula. Melamine was added to the milk as it was believed to have helped to increase protein content, Health Minister Chen Zhu told reporters on Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2008)