June 21, 2000
In response to press enquiries, the Department of Health (DH) today (June 21) confirmed that two suspected clenbuterol food poisoning cases involving three persons were reported.
A spokesman for DH said: "The two cases were the only ones reported this (2000) year and there is no cause for undue alarm in the consumption of pork and pig offal."
"DH is working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in investigating the two cases and monitoring the situation with relevant departments."
DH reiterated that members of the public should have a balanced diet at all times.
FEHD reminded the public to patronise reputable retailers when purchasing pork and pig offal.
The first case involved a 37-year-old woman who consumed pork and pig liver soup in her home in North District last Saturday (June 17). She suffered from tremor, palpitation, nausea and abdominal pain. She was admitted to North District Hospital the same evening and was discharged on Monday (June 19).
For the second case, a 44-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman living in Southern District suffered from tremor, palpitation and headache after the consumption of pork and pig pancreas soup in their home last Friday (June 16). The woman sought treatment from a private doctor the following day. Both of them have recovered.
The pork and pig offal were bought from markets in North and Southern Districts.
FEHD has collected food samples from retailers in the two districts and has been tracing the sources of these pig products.
Beta-agonists are included in FEHD's food surveillance programme. To tackle the problem of beta-agonists contamination in pig products, there is an established screening and tracing system.