Viet Nam News Agency reports that between 16 and 21 April, the department took 24 samples of pork and pig organs from supermarkets, traditional markets and temporary markets for testing.

The department said it would inspect the use of this substance in the markets in the upcoming time.

The department also suggested that pork containing lean-meat additives usually have abnormally bright red colour.

The use of banned substances, including clenbuterol and salbutamol, in breeding animals is the cause of excessive amounts of beta-agonists in pork and pig organs. Those who digest this contaminated meat will suffer from dizziness, shortness of breath, shakiness and vomiting.

Last March, the authorities found contaminated samples of pork in two farms in southern Binh Duong Province. Each was fined VND25 million (US$1,200) and required to use a new kind of animal feed.

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