According to the Chinese authorities, the small flakes of gold in the drink — from which it takes its name — violate food safety standards.

Chinese officials in the eastern port city of Wenzhou pounced on a shipment of 1,153 litres of the alcohol. Chinese media reported that the shipment came from Poland.

Goldwasser is a strong liqueur which has been produced since the 16th century in the northern Polish city of Gdańsk. It is highly distinctive because of the small flakes of gold suspended in it.

Chinese regulations forbid gold being added to food products because it has no nutritional value, Poland’s IAR news agency reported.