(Yicai Global) June 5 -- Authorities in Chenzhou, Hunan province, have fined maternity and baby store Aiyingfang CNY2 million (USD280,000) for falsely advertising a solid beverage as milk formula.

The local government has also fired Li Jianjun, head of the local market supervision department, and Cao Shishun, head of the local market order department, People’s Daily reported today.

Hunan Economy TV reported on May 11 that several parents in Yongxing county, Chenzhou, had found their children suffering from eczema and severe weight loss. The youngsters were diagnosed with rickets and it was discovered they had all drunk Aiyingfang’s product named Beianmin, prompting a regulatory investigation.

Hunan Weilele Health commissioned Tianjin Deheng Science and Technology to produce the drink, according to a notice from the government. The product had passed inspections covering 33 major quality and safety indicators when checked by the Hunan Institute of Food Quality Supervision Inspection and Research.

Authorities conducted a thorough medical check on the five affected children and found that they were growing as normal and had no skull deformities. Hunan Economy TV’s investigation had claimed the babies were developing abnormally large heads.

Editor: James Boynton