Background
- To better protect local consumers from harmful health products that can be found overseas and online, the HSA not only conducts surveillance on health products found locally but monitors overseas enforcement actions as well. The HSA then issues updates for consumers on products that may pose a threat to public health. The HSA's close monitoring of noncompliant health products in other countries and of overseas regulators' actions show that potential noncompliance in other jurisdictions may lead to knock-on risks in Singapore (e.g., negative publicity, potential perception in Singapore that the health products are adulterated).
- Sellers and suppliers of health products should note that anyone who supplies in Singapore health products that are adulterated may face a fine of up to SGD 100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
In more detail
The HSA published a consolidated list of health products that were found and reported by health regulators overseas (including regulators in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Thailand, and Hong Kong) to contain potent ingredients.
The health products that were found to include potent ingredients relate to sexual wellness. The HSA also provided a brief explanation of the possible side effects of the potent ingredients found in these health products. The full list of health products and their respective side effects can be found here.
The HSA warns the public against buying any of the listed products when abroad and recommends caution when purchasing health products online or from unfamiliar sources. It encourages consumers to only buy from retailers with an established presence in Singapore.
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