Clenbuterol found in supermarkets! RT-Mart and Carrefour urgently removed the products from shelves

The controversy over the use of ractopamine in American beef continues to rage. On the 13th, the Taipei City Health Bureau announced the results of random inspections of meat products containing ractopamine in its jurisdiction at large supermarkets. The inspections were conducted at two branches, RT-Mart and Carrefour in Neihu, with a total of six products inspected. The results showed that two of them did not meet the regulations, with 2.9 ppb and 1.8 ppb of the ractopamine detected respectively. In addition to requiring the complete removal of the product from shelves and recall in accordance with the Food Sanitation Management Act, we are also working with the New Taipei City Health Bureau to fully pursue the relevant responsibilities of the sales agents. The Taipei City Health Bureau announced the results of random inspections of meat products containing clenbuterol in supermarkets under its jurisdiction. The inspections were conducted at two branches, RT-Mart and Carrefour in Neihu, and the results showed that two items did not comply with regulations. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

Chen Liqi, director of the Food and Drug Administration of the Taipei City Health Bureau, pointed out that the six products sampled this time were tested for "beta receptor stimulants" of lean meat (clenbuterol, salbutamol, terbutaline, ractopamine, zilpaterol, cimaterol and tulobuterol). Two of them did not meet the regulations. One of them was "American Refrigerated Angus Beef Ribs (G)" sold by the Neihu Branch of RT-Mart Distribution Co., Ltd., which was found to contain 2.9ppb of Ractopamine.

Another item was "American Beef Strips (appearing like beef ribs)" sold by Carrefour Co., Ltd.'s Taipei Neihu branch, which was found to contain 1.8 ppb of Ractopamine. After investigation, it was found that the two non-compliant products were supplied by Yu He Food Co., Ltd. (No. 264, Jiankang Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City). In addition to immediately sending personnel to the store to order the removal and recall of the illegal products, the bureau also requested the New Taipei City Government Health Bureau to destroy the recalled products and deal with them in accordance with the law.

Director Chen Liqi said that the detection of clenbuterol in the products in the case violates Article 11, Paragraph 1, Item 5 of the Food Sanitation Management Act. In addition to confiscating and destroying the products in accordance with Article 29, Paragraph 1 of the same act, the importer may be fined not less than NT$60,000 and not more than NT$6 million in accordance with Article 31 of the same act.

Clenbuterol is a type of animal medicine. There are several drugs or food additives called clenbuterol, such as ractopamine and clenbuterol. Adding clenbuterol to feed can increase the amount of lean meat in animals, reduce feed usage, bring meat to market earlier, and reduce costs.

Since ractopamine is a type of beta-receptor hormone, it was originally intended to be developed for the treatment of human asthma, but the effect was not good and it was not officially launched on the market. However, it was unexpectedly discovered that adding ractopamine to animal feed can increase the lean meat ratio of livestock and poultry, reduce the fat ratio and reduce feed usage.

Director Chen Liqi said that if the public has any food safety and hygiene issues or consumption concerns, they can call the Taipei Citizen Hotline: 1999 (people from other counties please dial 02-27208889) ext. 7077. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

According to the Food Standards Committee (Codex Alimentarius Commission, CAC), ractopamine is metabolized quickly in animals, with 95% of the drug excreted through urine or feces after one day. Its half-life in human plasma is approximately 4 hours. Because its safety data shows that it has low toxicity, it is currently approved by 26 countries (regions) including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and can be legally added to animal feed as a beta-receptor. If Ractopamine is accidentally consumed in large quantities and causes poisoning, symptoms such as nausea, muscle tremors, increased blood pressure, palpitations, fatigue and dizziness may occur.

If the public has any food safety or hygiene issues or consumer concerns, please call the Taipei Citizen Hotline: 1999 (out-of-town residents please dial 02-27208889) ext. 7077. The above inspection results can be found on the Food and Drug Consumer Information Service Network at http://consumer.fda.gov.tw/ or the Health Bureau website at http://www.health.gov.tw/.