Country slaps ban on 'lean meat' tablets

BEIJING - China has banned the production, sale and use of clenbuterol tablets, which are often illegally added to pig's feed, the food and drug authority said on Friday.

Clenbuterol, an additive known as "lean meat powder", has been used by some farmers to speed up muscle building and fat-burning, resulting in leaner pork.

The decision was made after a consideration of the risks and potential danger of the drug's excessive use, said the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).