Most lamb barbecue sold by street vendors is actually made of duck and chicken to save on cost and is made to taste like lamb with harmful food additives, Xinhua News agency reported yesterday.

The practice was said to be widespread in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Vendors use mutton-flavored condiment to pickle duck or chicken for one night to make the meat taste similar to mutton, street vendors told Xinhua.

In a market in Hohhot, capital city of the region, vendors said the condiment trick has become a mainstream practice in the barbecue market. "Give each kebab some real mutton, and buyers wouldn't be able to tell the difference," vendors said.

Under Chinese law, the condiment is banned from being used on fresh meat.

Authorities, however, were not taking action as several departments attached to food safety said street vendors were beyond their duty, Xinhua said.