/ 9 July 2005

No more golden food at Vietnamese restaurant

Vietnamese authorities have banned gold being added to food, after a restaurant in Hanoi served gilded dishes it said had enhanced nutritional value, state media said on Saturday.

”According to a scientific council set up by the health ministry, gold is not on the list of micro-substances” needed by the body, the Tuoi Tre daily newspaper said.

Since January, the Kim Ngan Ngu Thien, or ”Golden Feast” restaurant, had been serving meals mixed with gold dust.

The restaurant was ordered to stop last month pending a decision by health authorities. — Sapa-AFP