From correspondents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 03:30 PM IST

Bangladesh's Supreme Court has directed the health ministry to send samples of all brands of powdered milk available in the country to any European country for laboratory tests under the World Health Organisation to look for melamine content.

A five-member full bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice M.M. Ruhul Amin, ordered that the government should submit the reports to the high court by Dec 31.

The court also extended until Jan 3, 2009, the high court order lifting the ban on sale and display of five popular brands -- Dano, Red Cow, Diploma, Nido and Anlene -- among the eight brands.

The apex court passed the order disposing of the petitions filed on Nov 16 on behalf of Red Cow and Nido seeking a stay on the high court order.

Although having a large cattle population, Bangladesh imports much of its milk requirement in powder form, mainly from Europe.

An earlier high court order had lifted the ban, but had retained it on the ones imported from China.

The discovery of melamine content in Chinese milk powder has been a subject of controversy in many countries.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)