China Arrests 22 Pig Dopers.

China has detained 22 people, some of them pig farmers, in connection with the recent distribution of dangerous drugged meat.

The 22 allegedly gave the drug clenbuterol to pigs in order to produce leaner meat. The drug is banned from use all over the world because of its toxicity to humans. In addition to the latest arrests, China has been able to recall 70 tons of the contaminated meat but the exact amount still on the market is unknown.

Clenbuterol is a commonly abused drug in the meat industry. Cases of illegal use have popped up in France, Italy, Spain, and even the United States.  There aren’t any long term studies done of its effects on humans but most report violent illness followed by hospitalization after ingestion.

Chinese officials are investigating 1,300 pig farms and 130 feed lots for illegal clenbuterol use.  I imagine that these 22 arrests are the first in a long line yet to come.