China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) Monday warned of intensive milk powder import and alerted related companies to guard against risks.

It was expected that 40,000 tonnes of milk powder would be imported into China in January, including 3,000 tonnes of infant formula milk powder, said a statement on the MOC website.

A total of 31,000 tonnes of milk powder were shipped to China in December 2009, including 5,000 tonnes of infant formula milk powder, the statement said.

The MOC alerted companies to guard against losses caused by intensive import.