Plenus, the operator of the Japanese Hotto Motto chain of bento stores, has announced plans to enter the Chinese market.

In a reprise of the melamine scandals of 2008 and 2009, the Shanghai Municipal Food Safety Joint Conference Office, has announced that the Shanghai Panda Dairy Company has been punished by the local food supervision department for producing and selling dairy products contaminated with melamine.

China's two dairy giants Bright Dairy and Yili have released their financial reports for the third quarter of 2008 and, being affected by the melamine scandal, each of the companies made net losses of over CNY200 million in Q3.

On the heels of concerns over product quality and melamine in Chinese milk, Nestle has opened a new research and development center in Beijing, which will focus on both basic research and product development.

The producer of White Rabbit brand candy, Guangshengyuan Company owned by Shanghai Bright Food, has announced it is suspending production because of suspected melamine contamination.

To ensure food safety and to improve the quality level of its products, Carrefour Haiguangsi Store, Tianjin, has set up a food safety testing lab.