Don't try this diet at home

A major Japanese TV network has apologised to almost 160 people who were struck with vomiting and diarrhoea after following a weight-loss plan it broadcast.

The Japanese Government says 30 of the 158 people who got food poisoning had been hospitalised but are recovering.

The Tokyo Broadcasting System's May 6 show introduced a diet of rice mixed with white kidney beans that had been roasted for about three minutes and ground into powder.

"We have received many complaints from different parts of the country about symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea as a result," the network said on its website.

"We deeply apologise to all the people concerned, including people whose condition was affected."

The network is urging viewers not to follow the diet and says white kidney beans are safe to eat if cooked according to usual recipes.

The food poisoning was caused by lectin, a protein in the beans which rendered them toxic if not sufficiently heated.