Clenbuterol is a Prohibited Substance and is listed as an anabolic agent in the Prohibited List. It promotes muscle growth and has sometimes been used by athletes to enhance their performance and to increase muscle mass.

In some countries, Clenbuterol, being a growth promoting substance, is administered to animals (e.g. beef, cattle, lamb, pork, poultry) which are used in the production of meat. Whilst in some countries, such as the U.S and in Europe, the use of Clenbuterol is illegal, in others, such as China, Mexico and Guatemala, it is still used.

Consequently, eating meat that has been ‘administered’ or contaminated with Clenbuterol can potentially lead to an Adverse Analytical Finding and a ban from sport.

How are cases of presence of Clenbuterol dealt with?

In order to ensure that valid meat contamination cases are dealt with fairly and to prevent athletes from having their competition results disqualified as a result of eating contaminated meat, WADA amended its rule to the effect that low levels of Clenbuterol (urine concentrations: less than 5 ng/ml) present in an athlete’s sample could be reported as an Atypical Finding (ATF) by the WADA-accredited laboratory. As a result, this provides the Anti-Doping Organisation (ADO) with the possibility of conducting an investigation.

After investigations, ADOs may close cases and allow athletes to retain their results (for sample collected in-competition) if it is determined that the detection of Clenbuterol in their sample is consistent with meat contamination.

However, if, following investigations, the reported ATF is not consistent with meat contamination, or if the concentration of Clenbuterol exceeds the designated threshold, an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) will be asserted and the standard results management will proceed.

Click here to see WADA’s Stakeholder Notice regarding meat contamination.

Advice to Athlete to reduce the risk of consuming contaminated meat

Remember – Athlete are solely responsible for any Prohibited Substance that is found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was an intention to cheat or not!

Athletes are therefore strongly advised to take utmost care and caution when eating meat, especially while travelling abroad, and to be aware of the risk of meat contamination.

Athletes are advised to do the following:

  • Consume meat from reputable meat source;
  • Inquire about the origins of the meat products;
  • Avoid eating unusual meat products; and
  • Where possible, request documentation as regards food safety and quality standards of the source of the meat.

What if an Athlete cannot avoid meat consumption?

If the Athlete cannot avoid meat consumption, then he is strongly recommended to collect as much information and evidence as possible so that he can use them in the event an ATF of Clenbuterol is reported.

Such information may include:

  • Travel dates;
  • Dates when meat was consumed;
  • Name and address of the place where meat was consumed;
  • The food consumed and its proportion; and
  • Receipt of purchase of the meat/food.