Scandal hits China meat processor

BEIJING, March 17 (UPI) -- Giant Chinese meat processor Henan Shuanghui Investment and Development faced allegations of an illegal additive in meat supplied by an affiliate.

A report by China Central Television said Jiyuan Shuanghui Food Co. Ltd. bought pigs that allegedly had been fed clenbuterol, an illegal additive that helps build muscle and is banned because it can cause dizziness and heart palpitations in people who consume it, China Daily reported Thursday.

China Daily said Shuanghui Group holding company Wednesday issued an apology and said it had asked Jiyuan Shuanghui to stop production while the claims are investigated.

In the China Central Television report, a pig farmer at a farm with live pigs was quoted as saying the animals' firm muscles were the result of "clenbuterol being added to pig feed because, by doing so, pigs can be sold for higher prices because they have a lower fat content."

China Daily said the Henan provincial government has ordered 16 pig farms to halt sales and impounded live pigs and 134 tons of meat products suspected of containing the additive.