A British company, Maximuscle, has not put 19 norandrostendione in its food supplements for athletes for almost two years, its research and development director, Mr Zef Eisenberg, said yesterday.
Prof Maire O'Brien of Trinity College Dublin, a former Irish Olympic doctor, said she had bought a jar of 60 tablets produced by Maximuscle, which included 19 norandrostendione, in Ireland about a month ago.
This substance boosts the production of testosterone, permitting longer and harder training which can lead to rapid muscle growth. It is believed to cause aggression and liver tumours, as well as depression when athletes cease taking it.
Mr Eisenberg said: "If someone buys some of our products and leaves them on the shelf for two years is that my problem?"
Use of 19 norandrostendione is not illegal, but it is on a list of substances banned by the International Olympic Committee on pain of disqualification.
Substances on the IOC list have been submitted by the Irish Sports Council to the Department of Health, where a spokesman said they expected 19 norandrostendione to be added to the list of substances controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act "within months".