Mexican health officials in the state of Morelos have issued a warning after more than 50 people became ill after eating meat contaminated with clenbuterol.
Clenbuterol, which is illegal in the U.S. and Europe, has been used as a food additive in some livestock feed to promote muscle mass and meat yield in cattle, lamb, poultry and swine. According to the Mexican National Service for Agro-Alimentary Public Health, Safety and Quality, the drug’s use is a criminal offense under Federal Animal Health Law.
Symptoms from ingesting clenbuterol include headaches, increased sweating, insomnia, nausea, possible muscle spasms, and increased blood pressure and disappear after two to six days.
Investigators have taken samples from two different sale points and found of the 106 samples analyzed, 52 had clenbuterol residues.
