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SINGAPORE – Four products sold on e-commerce sites and social media platforms have been found to contain banned substances or laxatives.
Three of the products: Nutriline Thinsline, KiMiSo Dark Chocolate and Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea contain sibutramine, a prohibited substance that may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The fourth, Nutriline Cleansline, contains the laxative sennoside, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Thursday (Sept. 10).
The public should not buy or consume these products, the HSA said, adding that all vendors and suppliers should also stop selling these products immediately.
The HSA said a woman had reported experiencing extreme thirst, irregular heartbeats, and loss of appetite after taking a sachet of Nutriline Thinsline.
Investigations by the authority found that the product was generally sold alongside Nutriline Cleansline.
Both products had been marketed as natural weight loss and detox supplements with claims to control appetite and increase metabolism for users.
A different woman alerted the HSA to KiMiSo Dark Chocolate. She suspected that the product contained powerful ingredients after reading the reviews.
The product claimed to promote weight loss without laxatives and without side effects.
HSA tested it and detected sibutramine and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that causes drowsiness and may pose a risk to consumers who drive or operate machinery.
The products were sold on local e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Qoo10, and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The HSA has issued warnings to sellers of these four products.
The authority has also ordered the respective website administrators to remove the affected listings.
Consumers are advised to stop taking these products immediately and to consult a doctor if they feel ill or are concerned about their health.
The HSA said the public should be wary of health products that carry exaggerated claims or provide unexpectedly quick results.
“There is no quick and easy way to lose weight. Weight control must be achieved through a combination of a balanced diet and proper exercise,” added the authority.
Sellers and suppliers of products with prohibited and harmful ingredients will be prosecuted. If convicted, they can be jailed for up to two years or fined up to $ 10,000 or both.
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