Seoul - South Korea on Thursday banned the import of Chinese milk and milk powder products and recalled two snacks found to contain the chemical melamine, which has caused kidney damage to thousands of Chinese babies.

The Korea Food and Drug Administration ordered the recall of Misarang Custard cake from China and Milk Rusk cookies imported from Hong Kong after some of the products on South Korean store shelves were found to contain melamine.

The administration said the import ban would be kept "until the safety of Chinese food products is ensured."

Chinese authorities acknowledged last week that melamine, a chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers, had been found in milk processed by three major Chinese dairy companies. It was added to boost the milk's protein content and fetch higher prices when sold to manufacturers.

Four Chinese infants have died of melamine-induced kidney diseases, and at least 53,000 have fallen ill.

More than a dozen countries have banned or recalled Chinese dairy products. (dpa)