They are instead relying on protein powder and fish to meet the high protein needs of top-class athletes, the Yangtze Evening News reported, as China goes after another successful haul of medals.
China’s food production industry is notorious for frequent scandals involving producers who illegally or excessively use various additives in the raising of livestock.
Authorities are particularly concerned that athletes could unwittingly consume clenbuterol, which is banned for food production in China but has been found in contaminated pork.
Clenbuterol can speed up muscle-building and fat-burning to produce leaner meat but has also been used by athletes as a performance-enhancer. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
China’s 2008 Olympic women’s judo gold medallist Tong Wen was banned in 2010 for two years for testing positive for the substance.
Chinese media reported earlier this year that national sports authorities had banned athletes from consuming meat outside of state training facilities.
Officials with the National Aquatics Centre and the sports ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.