The favorite defense for cyclists caught doping – must have been that Mexican steak – is now being used to warn players in the U.S. National Football League.

FILE – In this Jan. 18, 2010 file photo, steaks and other beef products are displayed for sale at a grocery store in McLean, Va. Americans may not have to cut back on eggs and salt as much as they once thought. And eating lean meat is still OK. But watch the added sugars _ especially the sugary drinks. The Obama administration’s new dietary guidelines, released Jan. 7, 2016, back off the strictest sodium rules included in the last version, while still complaining that Americans consume too much salt. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

The gridiron warriors are being warned about consuming meat produced in China and Mexico that potentially contains clenbuterol, which is banned under the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.

The drug-testing program’s independent administrator sent a memo to players, saying “consuming large quantities of meat while visiting those particular countries may result in a positive test.”

Clenbuterol is a muscle-building and weight-loss stimulant.

The drug-testing program again advised: “Players are responsible for what is in their bodies.”

The Oakland Raiders will face the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football on Nov. 21 in Mexico City as part of the league’s international series. The Raiders also hosted a fan fest as part of the NFL draft this past Saturday in Mexico City.

Texans left tackle  Duane Brown actually tested positive for clenbuterol last season after a bye-week trip to Mexico during which he ate Mexican beef, sources told ESPN.