Sichuan pepper dyed

BEIJING - Sichuan peppers that release a red dye when soaked in water were recently found in some markets in Beijing.

A local resident, surnamed An, bought some Sichuan peppers from a market in Chaoyang district that turned the water red when she washed them.

Following up on such reports, the district's industry and commerce authority inspected the market on April 28. An official said they cannot determine the dye and advised residents not to buy the peppers. They have sent samples for tests and will announce the results.