Press Releases
HSA Alert: 'S Gold Coffee' Sold Online Found to Contain Banned Substance
26 September 2019
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product-type
Others
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or consume ‘S Gold Coffee’ sold online as they have been tested to contain sibutramine, a banned substance. Please refer to Annex A of the pdf version for photos of the product.
Banned substance sibutramine detected in the product
2 HSA was alerted to the online sale of ‘S Gold Coffee’ by a member of the public, who became suspicious when her appetite was suppressed significantly after consuming ‘S Gold Coffee’. The product is sold on social media platforms and local e-commerce websites for slimming. HSA has directed the respective local website administrators to remove the postings.
3 HSA’s tests revealed that the product contained sibutramine, which used to be a prescription medicine for weight loss but has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The product marketing materials had advised that insomnia is a common reaction when taking this product, and that experiencing headache and heart palpitations showed that “the product is working towards internal detoxing and helps to improve blood circulation”. In fact, these are known side effects of the banned sibutramine, which the sellers are misleading consumers into believing, are beneficial effects of the product.
Advisory to consumers
4 Consumers are advised to stop taking ‘S Gold Coffee’ immediately and see a doctor if they feel unwell or are concerned about their health. Consumers are also advised to be wary of products that make exaggerated claims such as “inhibition of cancer cell growth” and “reducing the risk of developing colon cancer”
Advisory to sellers and suppliers
5 All sellers and suppliers must stop selling ‘S Gold Coffee’ immediately. It is illegal to sell and supply such products, which contain potent medicinal ingredients or banned substances. Sellers and suppliers are liable to prosecution and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to 2 years and/or fined up to $5,000.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
26 SEPTEMBER 2019