There are fresh concerns about the safety of China’s food supply after the country’s largest meat processor was last week reported by CCTV, China’s state TV broadcaster, to have produced and sold pork tainted with a banned drug. The drug, clenbuterol, also known as “lean meat powder” is a fat-burning animal feed additive that causes nausea and dizziness if consumed by humans. A total of 158 pigs from nine farms in central China’s Henan Province have been contaminated, according to state media reports.
The company, Shuanghui Group, reacted swiftly, issuing an apology and their ‘Shineway’ brand meat products off supermarket shelves were promptly pulled form the shelves. The government responded by sending ministry-level officials to oversee local investigations. By Monday Mar. 21, some 2,000 tons of pork and pork products were recalled and more than two dozen people connected to the case have been fired or suspended from their jobs.
