Banned substance that increases heart attack and stroke risk found in KetoDiet Coffee, warns SFA
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected a banned substance, Sibutramine, in KetoDiet Coffee, which is marketed as a weight loss product with claims of energy boost and instant fats breakdown.
Consumers are advised not to purchase or consume the Malaysian product.
SFA has worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the product and issued warnings to the respective sellers to stop selling the product with immediate effect.
Sibutramine is a prescription only weight loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010, due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other serious health consequences reported with its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders. Seizures have also been reported.
"SFA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies unsafe food products that are adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients," said the agency in a statement on June 28.
Under Singapore's Sale of Food Act, the sale of unsafe food is not permitted.
Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
