China's iconic White Rabbit milk candy has returned to overseas markets after a half-year sales suspension amid the wide-spread tainted milk scandal, a spokesman of the candy producer Guanshengyuan company said on Wednesday.

The first batch of 6,000 trunks of White Rabbit milk candies were exported early April to Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, India and Canada, the spokesman said.

The Guanshengyuan company recalled all exports, some of which tested positive for melamine in Singapore last September amid the tainted milk scandal that involved a group of major Chinese dairy producers. It also suspended its domestic sales.

The candy began its return to domestic market last October, as the products had passed Shanghai quality supervision administration tests.

The spokesman said the latest batches of exports including both traditional milk candy and a newly developed sweet "golden rabbit."

The new brand is a "birthday gift" for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, he said.

White Rabbit candy, first produced in 1959 to mark the 10th anniversary of new China, is now a household name in China, and is sold to more than 50 countries and regions.

Milk powder constitutes 45 percent of the candy's ingredients, giving it its renowned creamy taste and texture.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2009)