KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MoH) has instructed Lazada to remove the advertisement and sale of the Kingu Ginseng Candy, which has been found to contain tadalafil, a potent prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction.
The ministry in a statement said its Food Safety and Quality Programme division had initiated an investigation following media reports and preliminary screening found that so far the product was being sold on Lazada.
"The investigation also found that the product label did not comply with the labeling requirements under the Food Regulations 1985, due to the absence of the name and address of the manufacturer/packer/distributor/right holder for manufacturing/importing.
"Lazada has since been instructed to immediately remove the advertisement and sale of the product," it said in a statement.
The ministry also called for any traders, including online sellers, who have stocks of this product to cease the sale and advertisement.
The public who are using the candy should also stop using it and seek advice and treatment from healthcare professionals.
Previously it was reported that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has advised consumers not to purchase or consume the candy as it has been detected to be adulterated with tadalafil.
The agency said the product, which originated from Malaysia, had been marketed on multiple local e-commerce platforms as a candy with claims of male sexual enhancement effects.
MoH said medications containing tadalafil should only be supplied by doctors or obtained from pharmacies with a doctor's prescription.
The use of tadalafil without medical supervision can cause serious health effects such as vision and hearing loss, sudden dangerous drops in blood pressure and effects on the cardiovascular system such as strokes and heart attacks.
MoH ensured continuous monitoring of the safety of products in the market.
"From 2018 to the present date, out of 1,575 product samples taken due to suspected contamination with scheduled poisons, 32 samples (2.03 per cent) were found to contain scheduled poisons not permitted under the Food Regulations 1985.
"Enforcement actions have been taken against the companies and products involved.
"Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 stated that any person who prepares or sells any food containing any poisonous substance, harmful or otherwise detrimental to health, commits an offence and upon conviction, they may be liable to a fine not exceeding RM 100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both," the ministry said.
"MoH is always vigilant and concerned about matters that may threaten consumer safety.
"If consumers have any concerns regarding food safety issues, they can contact any District Health Office or State Health Department, or visit http://moh.spab.gov.my or https://www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.
