BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- At least 70 people in one Chinese province have suffered food poisoning in recent days after eating pig organs contaminated by a banned food additive , state-run media reported Monday . Health officials in the Guangdong province in southeast China said most were treated at hospitals and released , but at least three people remained hospitalized , the China Daily newspaper reported . The victims complained of stomach aches and diarrhea after eating pig organs bought in local markets since Thursday , China 's Xinhua news agency reported . A local health official said initial investigations indicated that the pig organs were contaminated by clenbuterol , an additive that is banned in pig feed in China . Three people were detained for suspected involvement in raising and selling contaminated pigs , authorities said . Clenbuterol can prevent pigs from accumulating fat but is harmful to humans and can be fatal . One of the largest food poisoning cases involving clenbuterol happened in Shanghai in September 2006 , when 336 people were hospitalized after eating pig meat or organs contaminated with the additive , China Daily said .
Xinhua : Victims complained of stomach aches and diarrhea after eating pig organs . Clenbuterol can prevent pigs from accumulating fat but is harmful to people . Report : 336 hospitalized in 2006 after eating clenbuterol-tainted pig meat , organs .