KUALA LUMPUR: A range of sweets under the ‘Energy Candy’ label has been banned in Malaysia after it was found to contain Tadalafil, a scheduled poison.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the discovery was made in a series of laboratory analyses conducted on the product by the Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division.
Tadalafil, which is a controlled medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction, is a banned food ingredient under Food Act 1983.
The misuse of the controlled medicine can cause side effects such as reduction or loss of vision and hearing, sudden drop in blood pressure and effects on the cardiovascular system that could cause stroke and heart attack.
The Energy Candy range of products includes ExtrAli Energy Candy, Extra Strong Energy Candy and Mixed Fruit Candy, which are sold in brick-and-mortar stores as well as online.
”We urge parties (which) supply and sell this product to immediately stop, and this includes online sales. The public is advised to stop buying and consuming the product.
“For those who have consumed it, we advise that they seek medical help if they experience any side effects,” Dr Noor Hisham said.
Any individual found guilty of supplying or selling the product can be fined RM100,000, or face 10 years’ imprisonment, or both, under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983.
The public can lodge complaints regarding food safety at their nearest District Health Office or state Health Department, or contact the ministry at its website http://moh.spab.gov.my or the Food Safety and Quality Division Facebook page.