February 23, 2009
Contaminated pork organs poison 46 in China's Guangdong Province
In south China's Guangdong Province, 46 people were poisoned after consuming pig organs containing an animal feed additive, local health authorities said.
The consumers were hospitalised for stomach aches and diarrhoea, with three remaining in the hospital for further observation, said Wang Guobin, an official with the Guangzhou Municipal Public Health Bureau.
An initial investigation found that all 46 had eaten pig organs contaminated with the feed additive Clenbuterol, Wang said.
The chemical can prevent pigs from accumulating fat, but is poisonous to humans and can be fatal.
Clenbuterol is a banned feed additive in China and in most other countries worldwide.
Wang said a further investigation is underway to find the source of the additive.
