Shandong (CNS)-- Shandong province has suspended the operations of several chicken farms and begun an overhaul of its livestock farming industry, a local official said Wednesday.
Several chicken farms in Shandong, some of which have been suppliers to KFC, were shut down for using drugs such as dexamethasone and amantadine to accelerate the growth cycles of chickens, according to recent investigations by China Central Television (CCTV).
Chickens fed illegal drugs are usually not inspected or quarantined before being sent to slaughterhouses, according to insiders.
Four special teams have been dispatched to Qingdao, Weifang, Linyi and Zaozhuang of Shandong to investigate the use of veterinary drugs by local farms. An emergency notification has also been released.
Results of the ongoing investigation will be released to the public, according to Shandong’s livestock department.
