(Ecns.cn)--Liu Xiang, a major producer of the banned chemical clenbuterol, or "lean meat powder," was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve Monday by the Intermediate People's Court of Jiaozuo in central Henan Province.
Four other suspects, including Xi Zhongjie, Xiao Bing, Chen Yuwei and Liu Honglin, received sentences ranging from life to nine years in prison for their connection to the production and sale of poisoned pork
The five were prosecuted for the crime of "endangering public security by using dangerous means."
Liu Xiang and Xi Zhongjie were responsible for producing 2,700 kilograms of clenbuterol, which was sold in Zhengzhou, Henan Province and Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, bringing them illegal earnings of about 2 million yuan.
They also sold raw materials to suspects Chen Yuwei and Xiao Bing, who then sold clenbuterol-spiked products across the country after further processing.
All of the suspects admitted to knowing it was illegal to use clenbuterol to feed pigs and that it could harm people's health. However, they said they had no clear idea how much damage could be caused. "I also ate the meat of pigs which were fed with clenbuterol," Xiao said in the court.
Clenbuterol is fed to pigs to make them leaner, which means they can be brought to market sooner. The chemical is poisonous to humans and banned as an additive in stock feed in China.
Another three suspects, including Wang Ertuan, were also sent to court in Qinyang City, Henan Province, this morning. They were prosecuted for the crime of "neglect of duty."
In March, China Central Television reported that some pork producers had used meat tainted with the fat-burning drug clenbuterol in their products. Contaminated pork was later found in provinces and cities including Hunan, Guangzhou and Nanjing. It was revealed that Henan Shuanghui Investment and Development Co Ltd, the country's top meat processor, was one of the main companies that had sold contaminated pork.
The government investigated over 1,300 pig farms and 130 feed and veterinary drug stores. At least six officials and workers at local animal quarantine stations were fired or suspended from work. The authorities also detained at least 22 people in connection with producing and selling the additive.
