Mexican officials investigate possible Clenbuterol poisonings

By Lisa M. Keefe on 8/26/2020

Health officials in the Mexican state of Morelos, south of Mexico City, are investigating a foodborne illness event after more than 50 people fell ill from eating meat that the investigators suspect was contaminated with Clenbuterol, according to a report in Food Safety News

Clenbuterol is a livestock feed additive that can be used to promote muscle mass, but it is illegal in the U.S., Europe and Mexico. Nevertheless, in research done in 2019, Clenbuterol was detected in about half of beef and beef liver samples collected from points of sale in the Morelos area, at levels that exceeded the maximum limits recommended by the Codex Alimentarius.

A total of 54 people reported getting ill with headaches, increased sweating, insomnia, nausea, possible muscle spasms and perhaps increased blood pressure. One remains in the hospital. Generally the symptoms go away on their own in a few days, but in some cases Clenbuterol poisoning can be fatal, particularly for those with heart conditions.

Health officials are testing products available for purchase in the area to try to pinpoint the origin of the potentially contaminated meat. The Mexican government has a program that certifies the various links in the meat supply chain in that country as being Clenbuterol-free, in an effort to provide producers and feeders with incentives not to use the additive.

 The full article can be found at https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/08/suspected-clenbuterol-poisonings-in-mexico-under-investigation/