YANGON -- Myanmar will seize and destroy imported Chinese baby formula to safeguard against poisoning by the toxic chemical melamine, a senior health ministry official told Agence France-Presse Saturday.

The health ministry said tracking down baby formula imported from neighboring China was a priority and authorities have told child medical specialists to be alert for symptoms of poisoning.

"We are now planning to destroy imported baby milk formula from China. We are also recalling products in the markets," said deputy director general Kyaw Nyunt Sein.

He said authorities were also working to seize baby formula smuggled from China, and planned to issue a warning about affected brands.

Chinese products are widely used in military-ruled Myanmar, which is under trade embargoes from numerous Western countries demanding democratic reform.

China said this week that milk powder contaminated with melamine, which is used in plastics, had made at least 6,200 babies ill nationwide and killed four over a period of many months.

Stores in mainland China and Hong Kong this week pulled hundreds of products from their shelves as the full extent of the contamination began to emerge, and Singapore, Malaysia and Tanzania suspended imports of Chinese milk and milk products.

In Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the government "will not allow this kind of (tainted) milk in Philippine markets" but nevertheless urged consumers to stick to "branded" products and report any attempts to sell them tainted milk or other dairy products.

Yili, Mengniu and Guangming -- big brands consumed and trusted by hundreds of millions of Chinese -- were affected by the recall after authorities checked their products and found traces of melamine.

Melamine added to milk and other food products gives the appearance of higher protein levels.