Four food products found adulterated with substances not allowed for use in food

             The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected four food products that have been adulterated with banned and/or medicinal substances that are not allowed in food. Consumers are advised not to purchase or consume the products. The four products are:

 

2          Loboose High End Super Candy and Premium Thundercat Super Candy had been marketed on local e-commerce platforms as candies with claims of male sexual enhancement effects. Lomie Peach Berries Blossom Fruity Tea and Urbanism Candy had been marketed as weight loss products with claims such as effective weight loss, appetite suppressant, detoxify, control of hunger, and acceleration of metabolism.

3            SFA has worked with these online e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the products and issued warnings to respective sellers to stop selling the products with immediate effect.

4            Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be given under medical supervision. Inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections). Tadalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems. They can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates.

5           Sibutramine is listed in the Poisons Act (1938). It is a prescription only weight loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010, due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other serious health consequences reported with its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders (e.g. psychosis and hallucinations). Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine.

6            Sennosides is used for the relief of constipation. Common side effects of Sennosides may include abdominal pain, spasms, diarrhoea, and low potassium levels in the blood leading to muscle weakness and/or cramps. Prolonged use of Sennosides may lead to a lazy bowel (bowel muscles become too relaxed leading to less frequent bowel emptying, which may lead to long-term constipation) and dehydration.

7          Details of the products are as follow:

 

8          SFA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies unsafe food products adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients. Under Section 15 of Singapore’s Sale of Food Act, the sale of unsafe food is not permitted. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

9             Consumers who have purchased the implicated products should not consume them. Those who have consumed the implicated products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers should also exercise caution and be mindful of the risks associated with consuming food bought from unknown or unverified sources and are advised to seek more information before making any purchase.

10         Members of the public who have any information on the sale and supply of these unsafe food products may write in to SFA at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback.