Key takeaways
- Sellers and suppliers should note that health products must comply with applicable healthcare regulations. The HSA will not hesitate to publish information on the adverse effects of health products.
- Anyone who sells or supplies products found to be adulterated with potent ingredients may be imprisoned for up to two years or fined up to SGD 10,000 upon conviction.
In depth
The HSA received feedback from members of the public that a herbal product provided unexpected, instant pain relief and resembled another herbal product that the HSA informed the public was adulterated. The HSA also received several reports of suspected adverse events associated with the product. Therefore, the HSA conducted an analysis of the herbal product in question.
The herbal product was marketed as a “traditional herbal supplement passed down through generations” to relieve multiple medical conditions, including joint pain and gout. It was claimed to be “steroid-free” and a “genuine product” of “premium quality.” The HSA's tests determined that the product contained two potent steroids and an anti-inflammatory painkiller.
The herbal product was sold through various channels, including local e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Carousell and Lazada; social media platforms such as TikTok; and local retail shops. The HSA has since worked with the local e-commerce and social media platforms to remove the affected product listings and to block or remove any future listings of the product.
The HSA advises consumers to only purchase health products from reputable sellers with an established presence in Singapore and to be wary of products that claim to have miraculous results or “no side effects.”
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