19 pigs test positive to illegal additive in China's Henan Province

   Photo taken on March 16, 2011 shows the pigs at the Jiyuan Shuanghui, a subsidiary company of Shuanghui Group, in Jiyuan, central China's Henan Province. China's largest meat processor Shuanghui Group apologized Wednesday after an illegal additive was allegedly found in meat products in Jiyuan Shuanghui. The group ordered Jiyuan Shuanghui to halt operations and sent a deputy general manager to the company to impose corrective measures. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang) ZHENGZHOU, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen pigs in central China's Henan Province have tested positive to having a banned additive in their urine, the city government said Thursday.

Out of 689 pigs awaiting slaughter and processing by Jiyuan Shuanghui Food Co., Ltd, 19 tested positive to having Clenbuterol, an illegal additive poisonous to humans, according to a Jiyuan city government statement.

The city government is also investigating more than 1,300 pig farms and 130 feed and vet drug stores, said the statement. No results have been disclosed yet.

Fourteen people, including seven pig farm managers, six brokers and one purchaser of Jiyuan Shuanghui, were under police custody, according to the provincial government.

At least 6 officials and workers at local animal quarantine stations have been fired or suspended from duty, it said.

All suspected meat products have been taken off shelves, and all feedstuff and meat confirmed to contain the additive have been destroyed.

Tests would be further performed throughout the province, said Li Mengshun, chief of the provincial animal husbandry bureau.

In Nanjing City, capital of nearby Jiangsu Province, the local government suspended operations Thursday of Xingwang Slaughter House after pigs believed to be from Henan tested positive to Clenbuterol.