Greens Senator Rachel Siewert claims other countries have responded more rapidly and comprehensively to the threat of food contamination via Chinese products.

"Here in Australia we don't know how many products may contain melamine, we have been slow to test products that pose a risk, and we don't have a comprehensive strategy to deal with the issue," she said.

"All Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has done is issue a media advisory advising people not to eat lollies that are suspected of being contaminated.

"In light of the fact that more and more products around the world are being found to be contaminated, a stronger approach is needed by our Government."

Sen Siewert claimed only 5pc of each food consignment arriving in Australia is being tested for melamine.

"The Government recently announced an additional $100,000 for testing, which is a welcome step, but a simpler method would be to stop imports of all Chinese products containing milk, at least until comprehensive testing has been undertaken," she said.

"The European Union, along with several nations around the world, have banned some products as a precautionary method and others have removed products from the shelves. Surely we should be doing the same?"