Weight loss products found to contain substances forbidden in food
The Singapore Food Agency has detected two food products that have been adulterated with banned and/or medicinal substances that are not allowed in food.
Susenji Mofa+ and Fabulous Boom Chocolate Flavour are sold online and marketed as weight loss products with claims of effective weight loss, appetite suppressant, detoxification, hunger control, digestion aid and acceleration of metabolism.
SFA has worked with the e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the products and issued warnings to the respective sellers to stop selling the products with immediate effect.
Susenji Mofa+ contains sennosides, which is used for the relief of constipation.
Common side effects of Sennosides may include abdominal pain, spasms, diarrhoea and low potassium levels in the blood.
Prolonged use of sennosides can lead to a lazy bowel (bowel muscles become too relaxed leading to less frequent bowel emptying, which may lead to long-term constipation) and dehydration.
Fabulous Boom Chocolate Flavour contains sibutramine, which is listed in the Poisons Act (1938).
It 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 from its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders such as psychosis and hallucinations. Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine.
Consumers who have bought the implicated products should not consume them.
Those who have consumed the implicated products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice.
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 who have any information on the sale and supply of this unsafe food product can write in to SFA at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback
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