HSA Alerts Public to 6 More ‘Herbal Health’ Products Found to Contain Undeclared Potent Western Medicinal Ingredients

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) alerts members of the public to undeclared potent medicinal ingredients found in the ‘Herbal Health' range of products by Ace Nutrition International. Following HSA's media release on ‘Herbal Health Jointcare' on 8 April 2014, further investigation and testing of other products by the company revealed that 6 more ‘Herbal Health' range of products contained undeclared ingredients. The products were ‘Herbal Health Backplus 500mg', ‘Herbal Health V+', ‘Herbal Health RU Special Cream', ‘Herbal Health YI Special Cream', ‘Herbal Health JI Special Cream' and ‘Herbal Health XIANG Special Cream'. Please refer to Annex A of the attached pdf for pictures of the products. 

2     HSA has since seized the products from the company's premises at Kallang Pudding Road and stopped all sales of the products. HSA is currently investigating the source of manufacturing of these products.   

‘Herbal Health Backplus 500mg', ‘Herbal Health V+'

3     Both ‘Herbal Health Backplus 500mg' and ‘Herbal Health V+' had made general health claims on their labels. ‘Herbal Health Backplus' was intended to relieve back muscles and lower backache, as well as eliminate lethargy but HSA found that it contained an undeclared medicinal ingredient, tadalafil. ‘Herbal Health V+' was intended to improve men's vigour, enhance physical strength and stamina, and promote higher self-esteem. However, 2 undeclared ingredients, tadalafil and sildenafil, were detected in this product. Both tadalafil and sildenafil are potent western medicinal ingredients used to treat erectile dysfunction. They can cause serious adverse effects and should not be taken without medical supervision. In the case of patients with heart conditions, these products can interact with the patients' medications such as nitrates and can cause death.   

‘Herbal Health RU Special Cream', ‘Herbal Health YI Special Cream', ‘Herbal Health JI Special Cream' and ‘Herbal Health XIANG Special Cream'

4     The ‘Herbal Health' range of creams claimed to treat skin conditions such as itch, eczema, dry skin, scaling heels and fungal infections but did not list any active ingredients on their labels. However, HSA's testing revealed that they contained undeclared western medicinal ingredients which included an anti-allergy ingredient, chlorpheniramine, and anti-fungal ingredients, clotrimazole, miconazole and terbinafine. Please refer to Annex B of the attached pdf for more information on their potential side effects.

HSA advisory 

5     Members of the public who are consuming or using the above listed ‘Herbal Health' products are advised to: 

(i) Stop consuming/using these products immediately and seek medical advice if they feel unwell. Undeclared western medicinal ingredients may cause possible adverse effects as well as drug interactions with consumers' own medications which can seriously harm health. 
(ii) Be wary of complementary health products promising ‘miraculous cures' and/or providing rapid relief of their medical conditions.
(iii) Seek proper medical treatment for acute and chronic medical symptoms and conditions (such as erectile dysfunction, infection, backache and itch) and not self-medicate. 

6     HSA will take strong enforcement actions against those who engage in the sale and supply of health products containing undeclared potent medicinal ingredients. Anyone found to contravene the Poisons Act faces a penalty of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two years under the Poisons Act.   

7     Members of the public who have any information on the sale of the ‘Herbal Health' products listed in Annex A or other illegal products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
29 APRIL 2014

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