The Health Ministry instructs Lazada to remove Kingu Ginseng Candy from its platform due to the presence of tadalafil, a prescription medication. The product’s labeling deficiencies and health risks associated with tadalafil prompt immediate action, with traders warned against selling items containing harmful ingredients.
16 April 2024 – E-commerce giant Lazada has been directed by the Health Ministry (MOH) to remove all content related to the advertising and sale of “Kingu Ginseng Candy,” a locally produced product found to contain tadalafil, a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Following an investigation by the Food Safety and Quality program, it was discovered that the product label of Kingu Ginseng Candy did not adhere to Food Regulations 1985, lacking essential details such as the manufacturer’s name and address. This directive comes in the wake of an advisory issued by the Singapore Food Agency regarding the same product.
Tadalafil, being a prescription medication, poses serious health risks if used without medical supervision, including loss of sight or hearing, and severe low blood pressure leading to stroke or heart attack. The MOH has urged traders, both online and offline, to cease the sale of the product immediately.
Under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983, any party involved in preparing or selling food items containing harmful or poisonous ingredients will be deemed to have committed an offense. The MOH reassured the public of continuous monitoring of product safety in the market, particularly concerning items suspected of containing scheduled poisons like tadalafil.
Out of 1,575 product samples seized since 2018 over suspicions of containing scheduled poisons, 32 samples, or 2.03%, were confirmed to contain unpermitted scheduled poisons, according to the ministry’s statement. – ref: The Sun
