Banned weight loss medicine that can cause psychosis, seizures and hallucinations found in coffee
Customers are advised not to purchase or consume V-SHOU Premium Coffee as it contains sibutramine, a banned weight loss medicine.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said the coffee is sold on various local e-commerce platforms and marketed as a weight loss product, "claiming to promote weight loss, accelerate fat burning, enhance metabolism, provide quicker slimming results, soothe the digestive system, and control appetite."
SFA said it has worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the product.
Warnings have also been issued to the respective sellers to stop selling the product with immediate effect.
According to SFA, sibutramine is a prescription-only medicine that has been 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 (e.g. psychosis and hallucinations). Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine," SFA added.
SFA said it will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies unsafe food products adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients.
Those who have purchased the implicated product should not consume it. If you have consumed the product and have concerns about your health, seek medical advice.
SFA said: "Consumers should also exercise caution and be mindful of the risks associated with consuming food bought from unknown or unverified sources and are advised to seek more information before making any purchase."
Members of the public with information on the sale and supply of this unsafe food product may write in to SFA at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback.
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