Tadalafil and sibutramine discovered in candies and teas sold online; SFA issues urgent consumer warnings
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has issued a strong warning after four food products sold online were found to contain potent prescription drugs, including tadalafil and sibutramine—posing serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
Tadalafil Detected in Sexual Enhancement Candies
Two products marketed for male sexual enhancement—Loboose High End Super Candy and Premium Thundercat Super Candy—were found to contain tadalafil, a powerful prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. According to the SFA’s April 30 announcement, tadalafil use without medical supervision can trigger severe side effects including heart attack, stroke, dangerously low blood pressure (especially for those on heart medications), irregular heart rhythm, and priapism.
Sibutramine Found in Weight Loss Products
The SFA also flagged two products marketed for weight loss—Lomie Peach Berries Blossom Fruity Tea and Urbanism Candy. Tests confirmed the presence of sibutramine, a banned substance in Singapore since 2010. Once used for appetite suppression, sibutramine was prohibited due to its association with increased risks of heart attack, stroke, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. The substance is listed under Singapore’s Poisons Act.
Further analysis of Urbanism Candy revealed it also contained sennosides, a laxative used to relieve constipation. SFA warned that prolonged use of sennosides may result in abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, electrolyte imbalance, and even long-term constipation due to weakened bowel muscles—a condition known as lazy bowel syndrome.
Listings Removed, Sellers Warned
All four products were being sold via local e-commerce platforms, including Carousell. SFA has since coordinated with the platforms to take down the listings. In addition, official warnings have been issued to the respective sellers, demanding they cease all sales of the adulterated items with immediate effect.
SFA: Do Not Consume These Products
The agency urged the public to avoid purchasing or consuming the implicated items. “These substances can pose serious health risks, particularly when consumed unknowingly,” stated SFA. Consumers are advised to consult healthcare professionals and avoid products with exaggerated claims, especially those purchased through unregulated online sources.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of policing online marketplaces, where food products with unverified claims can be sold with relative ease. The SFA’s swift intervention serves as a reminder that unregulated health supplements or candies—however attractively packaged—can carry potentially lethal ingredients hidden beneath sweetened facades.
The SFA’s discovery underscores the urgent need for vigilance in the e-commerce landscape, especially where food and health products are concerned. As digital marketplaces grow, regulatory bodies, platforms, and consumers must work together to ensure public safety and prevent dangerous substances from reaching unsuspecting users across Singapore and the region.
Sources: CNA (2025), The Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Tadalafil Candy, Sibutramine Tea, Erectile Dysfunction Products, Online Health Risk, SFA Drug Alert
