McDonald's has been fined $7,000 for selling a potentially cancer-causing sweetener in its Hong Kong restaurants after a year-long legal tussle.
The fast-food chain pleaded guilty last week to selling seasoning containing the banned additive stevioside - which studies indicate may be carcinogenic and linked to infertility - with its French Fries.
The ingredient was included in a honey BBQ seasoning served with French fries during its Shake Shake Fries promotion late last year.
It was advertised on television by Canto-pop star Joey Yung Cho-yee.
McDonald's withdrew the seasoning when informed of the offence by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
The United States and Europe have also outlawed stevioside, which comes from the stevia plant. But it is legal on the mainland and other parts of Asia, including Japan.
It is up to 300 times sweeter than cane sugar but has no calories.