Melamine-tainted milk has made 53,000 Chinese children ill and killed four, prompting more than a dozen countries to slap import bans on Chinese dairy products.

The United Nations has urged concerted action to remove melamine from the food chain as China's toxic milk scandal deepened, with global foodmakers rushing to check products and reassure customers.

"Food safety is not the sole responsibility of public authorities," UN health and food agencies said. "The food industry is also responsible for ensuring a safe supply of food to the consumer."

Melamine-tainted milk has made 53,000 Chinese children ill and killed four, prompting more than a dozen countries to slap import bans on Chinese dairy products.

"Restoring consumer confidence is critical," said Ezz Al Deen Boutrif of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. "Melamine-contaminated products should be removed from the food chain in order to prevent further exposure," he said. He urged countries to recall and destroy products "based on an assessment of the risk to human health."