The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected a banned substance, Sibutramine, in “V-SHOU Premium Coffee”. Consumers are advised not to purchase or consume the product.
2 “V-SHOU Premium Coffee” is sold on various local e-commerce platforms and marketed as a weight loss product, claiming to promote weight loss, accelerate fat burning, enhance metabolism, provide quicker slimming results, soothe the digestive system, and control appetite.
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 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 three months or to both.
5 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.
6 Members of the public with information on the sale and supply of this unsafe food product may write in to SFA at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback.
Issued by the Singapore Food Agency
24 July 2024
