Beijing, Jan 31 (IANS) Three men who allegedly manufactured and sold fake salt made from pesticide residue have appeared in a court in eastern China, a media report said Tuesday.

Xu Jingdong, Tao Xianchu and Liu Wei, who appeared in a court in Anhui province, had procured the residue from a chemical factory in Zhenjiang, China Daily reported.

Police had earlier warned that toxic salt has already made its way to the dining tables.

Over 14,000 tonnes of fake salt were sold in markets in 12 provinces and municipalities.

Experts said the danger posed by the fake salt is similar to melamine milk poisoning that left six children dead and 300,000 infants sick.

There have been no reports of illness caused by the fake salt.