Beijing - At least 70 people in southern China have been sickened after eating pig organs tainted with a banned food additive, a newspaper reported Monday.

Three people remained in hospital in Guangzhou after consuming the organs containing the banned substance clenbuterol, which is used to build muscle and is also banned in sport, the China Daily said, citing local health officials.

The patients complained of stomach pains and diarrhoea after eating organs bought at local markets since Thursday.

The organs originated from pigs raised on farms in Hunan province.

Three people involved in the slaughter and sale of the pork were detained.

In 2006 in Shanghai, 336 people were sickened when they consumed pork and pig organs with high concentrations of clenbuterol. (dpa)