**SINGAPORE** - In a shocking turn of events, a man in his 50s found himself in dire medical distress after consuming a product he purchased from a seller at a local coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio. Struggling with eczema, he took Tong Mai 9 Gu Jiao Rou daily for nearly two years, only to end up facing emergency surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of his troubles, as he also developed Cushing’s syndrome, leading to alarming symptoms like thinning skin and bruising. His doctor was left suspecting the product was tainted with dangerous substances.

On March 25, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) released a crucial statement revealing that Tong Mai 9 Gu Jiao Rou was one of four health products identified as containing prohibited or hazardous ingredients, such as steroids and sibutramine. The agency has strongly advised consumers against purchasing these products, which have caused adverse health effects among users.

Tong Mai 9 Gu Jiao Rou, marketed as a remedy for joint issues, was found to contain potent steroids like dexamethasone and painkillers such as piroxicam. Similarly, another product, EZ Empire Be Perfect, positioned online as promoting “healthy weight gain” led to a woman suffering serious side effects after taking it for about ten months. Although she gained significant weight and increased her appetite, she later experienced troubling symptoms, including facial rashes and extreme fatigue after discontinuation of the product. The link between her symptoms and the product was later confirmed by her physician, who reported that the supplement contained dexamethasone and cyproheptadine, an antihistamine that stimulates appetite.

Health authorities are urging anyone who has consumed these suspect products to seek medical attention immediately. The HSA cautioned against abrupt cessation of these products, warning that withdrawal symptoms—like fatigue and confusion—can be debilitating if they've been used for extended periods.

The warning didn’t stop there; consumers were also urged to avoid two other products, Re5hape hi Morning and Re5hape bye Night, after receiving reports of a consumer experiencing chest pain. Marketed as parts of a holistic “health sculpting programme” for weight loss, these products were falsely advertised as containing natural ingredients. However, testing by HSA revealed that Re5hape hi Morning contained the banned substance sibutramine, while Re5hape bye Night consisted of sennosides, which are known laxatives.

In an additional alarming note, these products were misleadingly labeled with ‘GMP’ logos, potentially giving consumers a false sense of security regarding their safety and manufacturing standards. The HSA acted quickly to remove listings of these items from online platforms like Carousell and Shopee.

The agency has issued a stern warning to sellers and suppliers to halt the distribution of these dangerous products immediately, stating that strict enforcement will be pursued against anyone found guilty of selling adulterated items. Fines can reach $10,000, and offenders may face up to two years in prison, or both.

Giving further credence to this warning, Associate Professor Chan Cheng Leng, director of HSA’s health products regulation group, stated, "These illegal health products often masquerade as natural remedies while actually containing potent synthetic ingredients that could lead to severe health complications. While we conduct regular surveillance of health products, it is essential for consumers to exercise caution and purchase only from reputable sources."

To assist consumers, a database listing illegal health products is available on the HSA’s official website. Stay informed and stay safe—don't fall victim to deceptive health claims!