中國網(wǎng)站品牌欄目（頻道）
Sixteen people have been detained on the suspicion that they had sold a banned additive used to produce greater amounts of lean meat in livestock, according to police in Central China's Hunan province.
The case is the latest to reveal an extensive use of "lean meat powder", which cause lean meat to grow faster in livestock. The type of powder suspected of being used in this case is called ractopamine.
In March, a similar chemical, clenbuterol, was found in meat supplied to China's largest meat processor, Henan-based Shuanghui Group.
The latest revelation shows that China's troubles with such additives are far from eliminated.
"(Police) have detained 16 chief suspects in this case, which affects 16 provinces and municipalities," Xu Hu, a senior official with the Ministry of Public Security, told China Central Television (CCTV).
In March 2010, a regular test conducted by husbandry authorities in Longhui county, Hunan province, found ractopamine in the feed given to local pigs.
Local police started an investigation and, through that work, came upon a large network manufacturing the banned additive.
Luo Fan, a 34-year-old Hubei native, has allegedly spent 2.6 million yuan ($399,830) to buy more than 2,000 kilograms of ractopamine since 2008. The additive came from a manufacturer in Zhejiang and another in Tianjin, according to Hunan police.
Luo sold the chemical to feed factories in 16 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, according to CCTV.
Tracking the source of Luo's additive, police in March seized 420 kg of semi-finished ractopamine, 510 kg of raw materials and 27 machines that produced the additive in a workshop in Jiujiang city, Jiangxi province.
Questions:
1. How many people have been detained?
2. What other chemical was found in March?
3. How many provinces or municipalities are affected?
Answers:
1. 16.
2. Clenbuterol.
3. 16.
（中國日報網(wǎng)英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.
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