Prescription drug found in sweets sold online

Kingu Ginseng Candy contains tadalafil that may pose serious risks, Singapore agency warns

A product marketed as confectionery with claims of male sexual-enhancement effects has been found by Singapore’s food safety watchdog to contain tadalafil – a potent prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Kingu Ginseng Candy was sold on multiple local e-commerce platforms, according to the Singapore Food Agency. It said it had “worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the product and issued warnings to the respective sellers to refrain from selling the product with immediate effect”.

Consumers were advised not to purchase or consume the product, the agency said, adding that those who had consumed it and had concerns about their health should seek medical advice.

The product was previously listed for sale on Shopee and Lazada, but those listings had since been taken down. Images of it provided by the Singapore Food Agency show that Kingu Ginseng Candy is manufactured in Malaysia.

The confectionery, whose ingredients include coffee and ginseng extract, is individually wrapped and sold in a yellow container.

Tadalafil was a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be given under medical supervision, the agency said.

Inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate as well as priapism, also known as painful and prolonged erections. It can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems.

The medication might cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who were on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates, the agency added.

The agency advised consumers to be cautious and mindful of the risks associated with consuming food bought from unknown or unverified sources.

They are also advised to seek more information before purchasing the products.

The agency added that it would not hesitate to take stern enforcement action against those who sell and supply food products that were found to be adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients.

Those found guilty face a fine not exceeding S$5,000 (HK$28,780). If there is a second or subsequent conviction, a person may be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to three months, or both.