Banned Substance Detected in V-SHOU Premium Coffee
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected a banned substance, Sibutramine, in “V-SHOU Premium Coffee”. As a result, V-Shou coffee is banned. Consumers are advised not to purchase or consume the product.
Weight Loss Claims and Product Listings
Sellers market “V-SHOU Premium Coffee” as a weight loss product on various local e-commerce platforms. It claims to promote weight loss, accelerate fat burning, enhance metabolism, provide quicker slimming results, soothe the digestive system, and control appetite.
Due to these claims and the detection of Sibutramine, SFA banned V-Shou coffee. SFA worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove the product listings. They issued warnings to the respective sellers, instructing them to stop selling the product immediately.
Health Risks of Sibutramine
Sibutramine, a prescription-only weight loss medicine, has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to its high risk of heart attack and stroke. Originally used to treat obesity by altering neurotransmitters in the brain to induce a feeling of fullness, Sibutramine led to severe cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks and strokes, which prompted its prohibition.
In addition to cardiovascular risks, Sibutramine also causes several serious health consequences, including:
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Severe mood changes
- Seizures
The ban on V-Shou coffee highlights the urgent need to ensure weight loss products are free from harmful substances like Sibutramine. The detection of this dangerous ingredient in consumer products stresses the importance of regulatory vigilance and consumer awareness. Those who have consumed products containing Sibutramine should seek medical advice immediately to address any health concerns.
Enforcement Actions
SFA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies unsafe food products adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients.
Under Section 15 of Singapore’s Sale of Food Act, the sale of unsafe food is not permitted. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the fine may not exceed $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.
Product Details
Product Name: V-SHOU Premium Coffee
Country of Origin: Unknown (Not listed)
Consumer Advisory
Consumers who have purchased the implicated products should avoid consuming them. If you have consumed these products and have health concerns, you should seek medical advice immediately. Additionally, exercise caution and remain mindful of the risks when consuming food bought from unknown or unverified sources. Always seek more information before making any purchase to ensure safety.
Reporting Unsafe Products
Members of the public with information on the sale and supply of this unsafe food product may write to SFA at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback.
Image credit: Singapore Food Agency
References
“V-SHOU Premium Coffee” found adulterated with Sibutramine. (2024, July 24). https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/accredited-overseas-attachments/sfa-media-release—v-shou.pdf?sfvrsn=2bacca94_1
