More than a tonne of fake jellyfish has been uncovered in China – but it is feared almost 10 times that much has already made it on to the market.

Police in the eastern part of the country, where jellyfish is a popular dish, raided two workshop where the synthetic versions were being made.

Those selling fake jellyfish have made more than 170,000 yuan (£18,100) in profits in a year of production, police said.



Six suspects were detained in the Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.



The fake product had been made by mixing chemicals – sodium alginate, calcium chloride and aluminum sulfate – which were used to mimic the gelatinous texture of the animal.

Checks have showed high levels of aluminium.



View photos

Images of the fake jellyfish (Huzhou Police)

The BBC reports that the food and drug safety branch of Huzhou police said too much aluminium could result in bone and nerve damage.

It also said it could potentially harm memory and that the effects could be more pronounced for pregnant women, children and the elderly.

The dish is considered something of a delicacy in China, where it is often served as a salad.

It is believed that fake jellyfish have been created to deal with the demand for the food.

The fake versions are said to have a selloptape-like texture.