A local unlicensed eatery owner who was sentenced to 18 months in jail for putting poppy seed shells in his noodle soup had his appeal rejected by Shanghai No.3 Intermediate People's Court yesterday.

Police raided the premises on October 21 last year and poppy shells were later seized at his residence. The man, surnamed Tao, was charged with producing and selling toxic and harmful food. He appealed his sentence, seeking a lighter penalty because he had only added a small quantity.