S China Discovers Poisoning by Pig Feed Additive

They were all hospitalized for stomach aches and diarrhea. Three people remained in the hospital for further observation, said Wang Guobin, an official with the Guangzhou Municipal Public Health Bureau.

A total of 11 food poisoning cases had been reported since 10 a.m. on Thursday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong. A total of 46 people from the Tianhe and Zengcheng districts were involved.

Mr Wang said all of them had eaten pig organs, which, according to an initial investigation, were contaminated by Clenbuterol, a feed additive.

The chemical, dubbed "shouroujing" which literally means "lean meat essences for pigs" in Chinese, can prevent pigs from accumulating fat, but is poisonous to humans and can be fatal.

It is banned as an additive in pig feed in China.

Mr Wang said a further investigation is underway to find out the source of the additive.

ThePigSite News Desk

Sign up for our
regular news updates

Related news items:

•    Action Taken to Ramp Up Abattoir Inspections
•    OleoServ Takes over Harles & Jentzsch Assets
•    Public Resistance Ousts GM Crops From EU
•    Two Cases of ASF in Wild Boar
•    New Way to Map Drought and Water Use

Related News Categories: Feed and Nutrition, Biosecurity and Hygiene, Food Safety

Sign up for our
regular news updates

More of the latest Pig Industry News

•   CME: Changes for Beef, Pork & Poultry Supplies
•   Third TOPIGS Import into China in Three Months
•   FAO Food Price Index Rebounds in January
•   US Pork Export Forecast is Unchanged
•   Nutreco Achieves Excellent Progress in 2011
•   Animal Welfare: The Right Thing to Do
•   New Zealand Pork Seeks New CEO
•   2011 Pork Imports Higher Than a Year Ago
•   Nutreco CEO to Step Down at End of 2012
•   Importers Face High Stocks & Weak Demand