June 11, 2004

Poison-tainted Meat Detected In Malaysian Livestock

Beta-agonist - a poisonous drug potentially fatal for humans - has been found in Malaysian beef and pork, a news report said Thursday.

" Based on surprise checks by the ministry last year, between 70-80 per cent of beef and pork were contaminated by the drug," said Health Minister Chua Soi Lek.

He said the government will immediately set up committees to crack down on local farmers found to be using the drug. If the substance is mixed with livestock feed, it will increase lean meat content in livestock and produce more marketable meat.

Beta-agonist is a drug used by asthmatic patients, and can only be consumed under strict supervision.

Immediate side effects of the drug include nausea, headaches, palpitations and insomnia, while consumption of the drug-tainted meat could be fatal for heart patients.

"Farmers must realise that their irresponsible way of doing business will backfire," Chua said.

He stated that those found guilty of acquiring the drug illegally and using it in the livestock feed would be prosecuted. Farmers could use alternative drugs which were safe for human consumption.