'Vampire drinks' banned

The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has banned Beijing stores and online vendors from selling so-called vampire drinks, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

The drinks, which range in color and ingredients, are sold in transparent pouches that resemble medical blood bags. Sales have been fueled by the popularity of American supernatural drama TV series The Vampire Diaries and fantasy romance movie Twilight (2008).

Stores on Nanluoguxiang and other commercial streets in Beijing were selling "vampire drinks" before the ban was enforced on July 14. The CFDA claimed the drinks lack proper labels detailing nutrition information and are hazardous to people's health.

Online vendors who continue selling the drinks will be shut down while stores that flaunt the ban face "serious punishment," the CFDA said.