Sprite not to blame for poisoning: Police

A man who suffered mercury poisoning that he claimed was caused by a can of Sprite, lied about the real origin, the Beijing Police Bureau said.

Ma Sai, 21, and the person allegedly responsible for the poisoning, a 28-year-old woman surnamed Liu, have both been put under criminal detention, police said.

Ma was hospitalized with mercury poisoning after eating at a restaurant on Nov 7 last year. Police said Ma was dining with Liu and Liu's cousin when he was poisoned.