Artificial eggs had been found in Guangzhou markets, the Guangzhou Daily reported Wednesday (March 2).

They looked genuine but could cause brain damage if too many were eaten, experts warned.

The cost of an artificial egg was less than 0.1 yuan (US$0.012). They were once popular in some areas in North China. The wholesale price was 0.15 yuan while the retail price of a real egg was 0.3 yuan, the report said.

Artificial eggs used a lot of chemical ingredients and were forbidden in some regions, such as Hong Kong, for health reasons, it said.

Guangzhou's commercial and industrial authorities recently raided an underground plant making artificial eggs.

They reminded people to be careful when buying eggs. The artificial shells looked brighter and coarser than real ones and, with care, buyers would be able to smell the chemical ingredients.

Editor: Catherine