China's food and drug watchdog on Friday announced that 13 types of health food would be banned, as they have been found to contain undesirable chemicals.

China Food and Drug Administration's statement seen on its website bans 13 products containing sibutramine, phenolphthalein, metformin and other chemicals.

According to Chinese law, health food and medicines are differentiated, as chemicals are not allowed to be added to health food.

Sibutramine can lead to high blood pressure, abnormal liver function and other serious side effects. The chemical has been banned in China since 2010.

Xinhua