Manila - Philippine health authorities found no traces of contamination in 18 Chinese meat products being sold in the country, a senior health official said Saturday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said all 18 Chinese-made meat products tested by the Bureau of Food and Drugs were negative for the industrial chemical melamine.

He said the bureau would issue a full list of the products Monday.

The tests were conducted after four babies were killed and more than 50,000 hospitalized in China for consuming melamine-tainted infant formula.

At least four Chinese milk and milk products being sold in the Philippines were found to contain melamine and the tests were being expanded to include other food products made in China.

Among the tainted products were Jolly Cow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk, Greenfood Yili Pure Milk and Mengniu Original Drink Milk.

Melamine is used as a binding agent and coating for particle, fibre and laminated board. It is also used to make fertilizers. (dpa)