In a shocking advisory, Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has flagged four adulterated health products that contain potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids and sibutramine—a banned substance. Consumers are urged to refrain from purchasing or using these potentially harmful items.

The recalled products, which pose serious health risks, include:

1. **通脉9骨减肥 (Tong Mai 9 Gu Jiao Rou)** 2. **EZ Empire Be Perfect** 3. **Re5hape hi Morning** 4. **Re5hape bye Night**

Just this week, alarming cases have arisen, including one man who required emergency stomach surgery after using Tong Mai 9 Gu Jiao Rou for two years. He initially sought relief for eczema but ended up suffering from a perforated gastric ulcer. Compounding the tragedy, he exhibited symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, which presents as a "moon face," thinning skin, and easy bruising—red flags that led his doctor to suspect the product's dangerous contents.

The HSA's investigation revealed that Tong Mai 9 Gu Jiao Rou was laced with dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory, and piroxicam, a painkiller. The agency warned that this product resembled Joint-Soft, another risky health product that had previously caused hospitalization due to internal bleeding.

Stunning Health Fallout from Weight Management Products

Equally concerning are the adverse effects linked to the weight management products. A 30-year-old woman reported weight gain, increased appetite, and sudden facial rashes after taking EZ Empire Be Perfect, which she purchased via Shopee. Contrary to its marketing as a “natural” solution, her doctor linked her symptoms to steroid withdrawal and potential Cushing’s syndrome after the product was found to contain cyproheptadine (an antihistamine) and dexamethasone.

Another consumer, a woman who used Re5hape hi Morning and Re5hape bye Night, discovered that these items contained sibutramine, a banned substance, and sennosides, a laxative. Both products falsely claimed adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), misleading consumers into believing they were safe and high-quality.

The HSA acted swiftly, collaborating with e-commerce platforms like Carousell and Shopee to remove the listings of these dangerous products, which have since been taken down.

Stricter Enforcement on the Horizon

HSA’s officials assure that they are not taking this lightly. All vendors of these four dangerous products must cease sales immediately. The authority warned that ongoing violations could result in severe consequences—sellers may face up to two years in prison, fines reaching S$10,000 (approximately US$7,500), or both.

Chan Cheng Leng, the director of HSA's health products group, emphasized the need for caution: “Illegal and adulterated health products often market themselves as containing natural ingredients, but the reality is they can lead to dire health complications,” he stated.

As the agency continues to monitor health products on the market, consumers are advised to be vigilant and purchase only from trusted sources to avoid potential health risks.

Stay informed and protect your health—don’t fall victim to fraudulent health products!