Beware meat from China and Mexico, football players warned

LOS ANGELES — The National Football League Players Association on Tuesday (May 3) warned players against steroid-contaminated meat from China and Mexico, saying eating large quantities could lead to them failing drugs tests.

The NFLPA said in a statement sent to members that players remained ultimately responsible for what they put in their bodies.

“There is some evidence that some meat produced in China and Mexico may be contaminated with clenbuterol, an anabolic agent which is banned by the NFL Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances,” the letter reads. “Consuming large quantities of meat while visiting those particular countries may result in a positive test for clenbuterol in violation of the Policy.

“Players are warned to be aware of this issue when traveling to Mexico and China. Please take caution if you decide to consume meat, and understand that you do so at your own risk.”

The NFLPA advisory was posted by several players on Twitter.

Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown last year tested positive for clenbuterol after a trip to Mexico during a bye week.

Brown was eventually cleared after he provided details of what and where he ate during his time in Mexico, avoiding a 10-game suspension in the process.

In 2011, five members of Mexico’s national soccer team tested positive for clenbuterol -- a muscle-building steroid -- which was later found to have come from contaminated meat. AFP