There is still a debate whether ingesting meat products contaminated with steroids can lead to a positive result for steroid test. Many athletes have been using this argument to convince their sports organization that they are not intentionally doping. There are reports that some cattle and livestock producers use steroids to hasten the development of muscles of their livestock. In most countries this practice is already banned but recent studies showed that there are still some producers who are doing this. In the study of the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) there is a possibility that some cattle producers in China may have been injecting their livestock with steroids.

This information was divulged by the WADA head David Howman in the recently concluded European Union Sports Forum. Howman said that there are already several athletes coming from China who failed steroid testing. The WADA accredited laboratory in Cologne, Germany reported that 22 of 28 travelers returning from China showed low levels of Clenbuterol, an anabolic steroid. The anti-doping experts believe that it could be due to food contamination. “There seems to be some evidence that some beef in China may have been stimulated in their growth by the use of steroids,” said WADA director general David Howman.

The agency did not give detailed facts on this issue and admits that they are still verifying this with the Chinese authorities. Nevertheless, the agency still issued warning to athletes traveling to China to be careful because they could inadvertently ingest steroids which can lead to their suspension from sports. “We have written to the Chinese minister to ask for a full explanation of what happens in the industry in China. We’re waiting for a response,” said Howman.

The meat contamination issue became a concern of WADA because of the increasing number of athletes returning positive for Clenbuterol. This anabolic steroid is commonly used in livestock to make them bigger and leaner. However, Clenbuterol is also being used by bodybuilders and professional athletes aiming for a leaner muscle and better physique.

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador used meat contamination defense when he was tested positive for Clenbuterol. He alleged that the steroid found in his system was due to the contaminated meat from Spain. According to the AP, Contador was cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation. Dimitrij Ovtcharov, a German table tennis player, was also cleared by the anti-doping authorities. Ovtcharov also blamed the meat from China which he believes was contaminated with Clenbuterol.

Howman pointed out that even if there are some cases where meat contamination defense was accepted, the anti-doping authority is still weighing the evidences. “We looked at the evidence in the table tennis case and we were satisfied that the tribunal made the proper decision based on the evidence that it had received,” the WADA head said.

Howman also urge other countries to pass laws regulating the production and sale of sports drugs. He mentioned that traffickers prefer sports drugs like anabolic steroids, EPO or human growth hormone than recreational drugs. “There is more money to be made because in many countries it is legal,” he said. It becomes a profitable business but it also put the youths, professional athletes or anyone buying these drugs at risk.

These steroids were usually imported raw from other countries and manufactured in unsanitary conditions. “They buy the raw materials and then they put them together in a kitchen laboratory.” Howman said that traffickers can easily mark up their steroids up to 100 percent.

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