KUALA LUMPUR: Many adulterated beverages once banned by the Health Ministry are back in the market as their manufacturers are driven by the increasing demand for the likes of Kopi Kuat — coffee laced with sildenafil (commonly known as the brand name, Viagra).
While they are the go-to “solution” among those dealing with erectile dysfunction, many, including women and young men, believe such beverages improved general health and are becoming regular drinkers.
Kopi Panggung Al-Ambiak and Kopi Jantan Tradisional, which were banned after being tested positive for sildenafil, can still be obtained in open shelves and through online stores.
The Pharmaceutical Division’s deputy director, Mazlan Ismail, quickly picked up the two brands, which were among a few samples submitted by the New Straits Times after it bought a few from shops in the city.
Products containing sildenafil, a poison used to produce sex stimulant drugs, need to be registered with the ministry and can be manufactured only by factories with good manufacturing practices.
He pointed out a worrying irony among those hooked on these beverages: most of them suffered from erectile dysfunction because of health issues like hypertension, heart problems and diabetes, and yet, they were taking these concoctions to address their low sex drive.
“Non-communicable diseases usually cause a person to have low sex drive.
“A man would know he is suffering from a low sex drive, but does not realise he has hypertension, diabetes or even a heart problem.
“Go to a doctor and get yourself checked.
“Don’t reach for these beverages,” he said, adding that doctors would prescribe proper medication to treat impotency.
“Your doctor may even help with your erectile dysfunction problem and you are less likely to have added medical problems by consuming these illicit beverages, which are not cheap.”
Mazlan’s department is not empowered to ban such products but can report and publicise them.
These manufacturers can be charged under Poison Act 1952 for mixing beverages with sex stimulants.
“It is illegal to mix food and beverage products with any poison.”
He said those found guilty faced a maximum fine of RM3,000 and the possibility of an imprisonment of three years, or five for second-time offenders.
He said the punishment was not deterrent enough, especially the fine involved.
Mazlan said the pharmaceutical division first started its operations on adulterated coffee in 2010, and by 2014, surrendered the task to the Food Safety and Quality Division.
“Unfortunately, they have been unable to cope due to the limited manpower.
“There was a meeting, where its director asked our department to take up these cases.
“That is why we are on enforcement again.
“There was a gap period and this could be among the reasons why the market is flooded (with adulterated beverages),” he said.
The Food Safety and Quality Division, in a statement, told NST that it regularly carried out monitoring and enforcement on domestic and imported food, including taking samples of beverage mixes, for analysis.
The division said the beverages would be tested for scheduled poisons, such as sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, which act as aphrodisiacs.
It added that verification at food processing establishments was also done to detect any unusual substances that could be added to food products.
It said under Section 12 of the Food Act 1983, food products with banned substances were prohibited and that they were monitoring adulterated food and beverages.
“A person who contravenes any of this sections has committed an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
“The implicated food can also be seized and detained under the provisions of Section 4(1)(f) of the same Act,” it said.
The division said it was responsible for ensuring that food sold in the market complies with the Food Act 1983 and its regulations.