I have previously mentioned my concerns of food safety in the kingdom next door. It comes with much relief that one of Hong Kong's six major industries is testing and certification services. Economically we can't afford to overlook issues that are causing a major uproar in China.
Contaminated food has reared its ugly head in another arena that threatens Chinese aspirations: sports. As China has risen in international power it has pursued sports prowess in similar fashion to the gold medal competitions of United States and former Soviet Union. However, it seems that corner cutting in food production poses a threat to athletic glory.
During the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai pork will not be consumed by the athletes. Apparently the clenbuterol used to speed up growth and build muscle in cows and pigs is also causing athletes to test positive for the banned anabolic agent.
According to a NBC news article by Ed Flanagan, a study by a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited lab in Germany revealed that 22 out of 28 travelers returning from China tested positive for clenbuterol.
Several foreign athletes may have already suffered as a result of eating food. According to Flanagan,
German table tennis player, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, nearly faced a ban when he tested positive for clenbuterol but was saved when his claim of contaminated food from his hotel was corroborated by similar results in four other players. Polish canoeist Adam Seroczynski unfortunately was banned for two years for his positive test at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
For their part, authorities in China are showing more concern than they had for previous food contamination issues. Unlike with other food frauds this one affects them on an international stage. Athletes may be wary to risk a two year ban to compete in Chinese sponsored, international competitions. On the other hand, I know a handful of shady athletes who might be eager to apply for a term abroad in the motherland. Bring on the body building swine.
Contaminated food has reared its ugly head in another arena that threatens Chinese aspirations: sports. As China has risen in international power it has pursued sports prowess in similar fashion to the gold medal competitions of United States and former Soviet Union. However, it seems that corner cutting in food production poses a threat to athletic glory.
During the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai pork will not be consumed by the athletes. Apparently the clenbuterol used to speed up growth and build muscle in cows and pigs is also causing athletes to test positive for the banned anabolic agent.
According to a NBC news article by Ed Flanagan, a study by a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited lab in Germany revealed that 22 out of 28 travelers returning from China tested positive for clenbuterol.
Several foreign athletes may have already suffered as a result of eating food. According to Flanagan,
German table tennis player, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, nearly faced a ban when he tested positive for clenbuterol but was saved when his claim of contaminated food from his hotel was corroborated by similar results in four other players. Polish canoeist Adam Seroczynski unfortunately was banned for two years for his positive test at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
For their part, authorities in China are showing more concern than they had for previous food contamination issues. Unlike with other food frauds this one affects them on an international stage. Athletes may be wary to risk a two year ban to compete in Chinese sponsored, international competitions. On the other hand, I know a handful of shady athletes who might be eager to apply for a term abroad in the motherland. Bring on the body building swine.
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