The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected a banned substance, Sibutramine, in “ChoCo Premix Coffee”. Consumers are advised not to purchase or consume the product.
2 ‘ChoCo Premix Coffee’ is sold on various local e-commerce platforms and marketed as a weight loss product with claims of weight loss, avoidance of muscle loss, acceleration of fat burning, fat removal, reduction in hunger, improvements in constipation, repair muscle and increase muscle mass.
SFA has worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the product and issued warnings to the respective sellers to stop selling the product with immediate effect.
3 Sibutramine is a prescription only weight loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010, due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other serious health consequences reported with its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders (e.g. psychosis and hallucinations). Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine.
4 SFA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies unsafe food products that are adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients. Under Section 15 of Singapore’s Sale of Food Act, the sale of unsafe food is not permitted.
Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
6 Consumers who have purchased the implicated products should not consume it. Those who have consumed the implicated products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers should also exercise caution and be mindful of the risks associated with consuming food bought from unknown or unverified sources and are advised to seek more information before making any purchase.
7 Members of the public who have any information on the sale and supply of this unsafe
food product may write in to SFA at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback.
Issued by SFA
15 July 2024
