Singapore detects banned substances, including ED drug, in food products sold online
KUALA LUMPUR: The Singapore Food Agency has detected banned substances in four food products sold online and is working with e-commerce platforms to remove them.
The agency said these substances were tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction; sibutramine, an appetite suppressant; and, sennosides, used to treat constipation.
SFA listed these products as Loboose High End Super Candy (tadalafil); Premium Thundercat Super Candy (tadalafil); Lomie Peach Berries Blossom Fruity Tea (sibutramine); and, Urbanism Candy (sibutramine and sennosides).
"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.
"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.
"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," SFA said in a statement.
The agency said sibutramine, which was listed in Singapore' Poisons Act 1938, 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 (such as psychosis and hallucinations). Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine.
"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."
SFA urged those who may have purchased the products not to consume them.
It said those who have consumed the products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice.
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KUALA LUMPUR: The Singapore Food Agency has detected banned substances in four food products sold online and is working with e-commerce platforms to remove them. The agency said these substances were tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction; sibutramine, an appetite suppressant; and, sennosides, used to treat constipation. SFA listed these products as Loboose High End Super Candy (tadalafil); Premium Thundercat Super Candy (tadalafil); Lomie Peach Berries Blossom Fruity Tea (sibutramine); and, Urbanism Candy (sibutramine and sennosides). "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. "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. "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," SFA said in a statement. The agency said sibutramine, which was listed in Singapore' Poisons Act 1938, 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 (such as psychosis and hallucinations). Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine. "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." SFA urged those who may have purchased the products not to consume them. It said those who have consumed the products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice.
