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The mainland health authorities are considering allowing edible gold to be added to one of the nation's favourite tipples.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission said it was seeking public opinion on letting small amounts of the precious metal be added to , the strong Chinese spirit, the reported yesterday. Up to 0.02 grams would be permissible per every 1kg of liquor if the proposal is adopted.

Gold leaf is banned for use in spirits under safety regulations, although examples can be found. A liquor called "The Spirit of Gold Leaf" sold for 3,999 yuan (HK$5,000) a bottle at a museum in Nanjing last year, local media reported.

The commission did not specify why they were considering the change, and Ma Yong, a deputy president of the White Liquor Commission, said he was puzzled by the suggestion.

"I can not figure out what effects gold leaf would have in liquor," Ma said.

One consumer quoted by the said the appeal was simple: "It looks glittery and it gives us 'face'. But there's no difference in the taste."

"People can see tiny pieces of gold in the liquor and say they can't accept it," she said. "Many people express concerns and we have to explain that in Taiwan, such items are common.

Ruan Guangfeng, a writer for the non-government China Food Information Centre, said gold could be added in small quantities to food and was used as colour without posing a health risk, citing an study by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation done in the 1970s. Gold is not absorbed by the body.

But glitter may not be enough to reverse 's sliding sales amid the government's austerity campaign. Sales of 11 high-end brands fell by 7.2 per cent in 2013, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Fiery baijiu might get gold leaf makeover

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