Police have arrested nine people on charges of selling pigs that had been given fodder containing a banned chemical, in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

Prosecutors announced on March 18 they would charge 15 people in total, but police are still to arrest the remaining six, said a statement from Guangzhou police.

The 15 would face charges involving the production and marketing of substandard, toxic and harmful food, the prosecutors said. The charges could mean prison terms of up to five years for those found guilty.

Police said they had also revoked the business license of the Tianhe Livestock Market's owner, Quanfa Food Co., Ltd.

Three vendors had also been punished, said the statement, without giving details.

"The punishment to the owner is the most severe for a market owner in the history of Guangzhou," said Liu Yong, director of the municipal Industry and Commerce Administration.

The market would be closed from April 2 to 12, but would reopen when a new owner was found, Liu said.

Pork would continue to be sold after it reopened, Liu said.

Pork containing ractopamine and clenbuterol was found in the market. Officials began an investigation after the city reported 70 cases of clenbuterol poisoning beginning February 18. Ractopamine poisoning cases were also reported, but no number was released. The conditions of those who fell ill are unknown.

Ractopamine and clenbuterol help pigs produce leaner pork. Clenbuterol is banned as an additive in pig feed in China because it can be harmful, and even fatal, to humans.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2009)