On April 30, 2025, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced that it had detected four food products adulterated with banned medicinal ingredients. Sold online with misleading claims—including sexual enhancement and weight loss—these items have raised urgent public health concerns.
The affected products are:
- Loboose High End Super Candy and Premium Thundercat Super Candy, both containing tadalafil
- Lomie Peach Berries Blossom Fruity Tea and Urbanism Candy, both containing sibutramine, with Urbanism also containing sennosides
The packaging for Loboose High End Super Candy and Premium Thundercat Super Candy falsely promoted them as “male enhancement” sweets, but laboratory tests confirmed they contained tadalafil, a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction that is not approved for use in food. Inappropriate consumption of tadalafil can lead to serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, priapism (prolonged and painful erection), and sudden drops in blood pressure—especially in individuals with cardiovascular conditions. Similarly, Lomie Peach Berries Blossom Fruity Tea and Urbanism Candy were marketed as weight-loss aids, claiming to suppress appetite and boost metabolism, but were found to contain sibutramine, a banned appetite suppressant linked to increased risks of heart attack and stroke. Urbanism Candy was also found to contain sennosides, a laxative compound. The presence of these undeclared, potent pharmaceutical ingredients in food poses significant health risks to consumers.
Why These Ingredients Are Dangerous?
| Substance | Used For | Risks When Misused |
|---|---|---|
| Tadalafil | Erectile dysfunction | Heart attack, stroke, dangerously low blood pressure, priapism |
| Sibutramine | Weight loss (banned) | Heart disease, seizures, psychiatric symptoms |
| Sennosides | Laxative | Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, weakened bowel function |
Singapore’s Regulatory Response
Singapore law takes adulterated foods very seriously. Under Section 15 of the Sale of Food Act, selling any “unsafe” or adulterated food is an offence. Violators face harsh penalties – on conviction they can be fined up to S$5,000 (up to S$10,000 for repeat offences) and/or jailed for up to 3 months. The SFA has emphasized that it will take “stern enforcement actions” against anyone caught selling products tainted with banned substances. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are warned not to consume them and to seek medical advice if they feel unwell.
Sources: Four food products found adulterated with substances not allowed for use in food (sfa.gov.sg)
BPOM Responds: Products Are Unregistered and Illegal in Indonesia
Following SFA’s announcement, Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) released an official statement confirming that:
- None of the four products are registered with BPOM, nor have they been legally imported into Indonesia between 2022–2025.
- BPOM discovered several online listings of these illegal products in Indonesian e-commerce platforms and has coordinated with:
- The Ministry of Communication and Digital,
- The Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA), and
- Respective marketplaces
to takedown these listings and request a permanent ban on such products.
- BPOM reiterated its commitment to ongoing surveillance of food safety before and during market distribution.
- Consumers are urged to follow the Cek KLIK campaign: Check the Packaging, Label, Distribution Permit (BPOM registration), and Expiry Date before purchasing food products.
This incident highlights the risks of consuming unregistered food products, especially those purchased online from unverified sources.
What Does This Mean for Food Businesses?
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of legal food product registration before entering the Indonesian market. Distributors, exporters, and UMKM must ensure their products comply with BPOM regulations, not only to protect consumers but also to avoid enforcement actions such as delisting, fines, or import bans.
How INSIGHTOF Can Help
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Our Services Include:
- Regulatory Consulting & Risk Classification
- Document Preparation (e.g., Product Formulation, Labels, NIB, NPWP)
- Application Submission to BPOM
- Compliance Advisory
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