French customs officials said on Monday that the country seized a record 31,000 tonnes of illegally imported honey last year, which was advertised as an all-natural sexual enhancer but often laced with erectile dysfunction drugs.
Packets of honey and gels, sold as “shots” or “sticks” with names like Black Horse or Bio Max, are often sold clandestinely in clubs and other nightlife venues.
The use of “aphrodisiac honey” has increased in recent years, and officials are warning of potentially serious health risks from off-label ingredients.
“As the amount of adulterated honey is unknown and the doses consumed are neither recommended nor quantified, the consumer assumes a significant risk by consuming this type of adulterated honey,” French customs said in a statement. statement.
They often contain chemical products such as sildenafil or tadalafil, the main ingredients drugs for erectile dysfunction Viagra and Cialis, which are only available by prescription in France.
French customs
As early as 2021, health authorities warned of several cases of honey causing seizures, brain swelling or acute kidney injury.
French customs said they seized 31,000 tonnes, mostly from countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand.
“They arrive by sea, in bulk containers, or by express shipping in smaller volumes after online shopping,” the office said.
The largest find was made in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille in November – 13 tons worth about 860,000 sticks shipped from Malaysia.
Last June, officials said customs officials from Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand seized nearly 25,000 doses of honey in storage boxes.