Key takeaways
- To better protect local consumers from harmful health products that can be found overseas and online, the HSA not only conducts surveillance on local health products, but also 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 non-compliant health products abroad and of overseas regulators' actions show that potential non-compliance 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). This indicates that regulators may share information and keep abreast of other regulators' actions.
- 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 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
In more detail
The HSA published a consolidated list of health products, including sexual wellness products, that were found and reported by overseas health regulators (including regulators in Canada and the United States) to contain potent ingredients.
The HSA also briefly explained 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 .
The HSA has advised members of the public to refrain from purchasing such products when overseas, and exercise caution when buying health products online or from unfamiliar sources (especially from overseas suppliers). It encouraged consumers to purchase health products from reputable sources with well-established retail presence in Singapore instead.
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