New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) India Thursday extended the ban on Chinese milk and milk products for another six months, a government statement said.

‘The central government further extends the prohibition on import of milk and milk products, including chocolates and chocolate products and candies, confectionery, food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient, from China,’ said a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

The ban came into existence on Dec 1, 2008 for one year and was extended for a period of six months on Dec 23, 2009.

Chinese milk products were banned after traces of melamine – a chemical which can cause problems such as kidney stones – were found resulting in widespread bans across countries.

The DGFT’s order, however, did not give any reason for the extension of the ban.