French customs officials are urging the public to avoid consuming illegally imported “aphrodisiac honey” after record seizures of the product in 2024, CNN reports.
The honey, often marketed as a natural stimulant, is actually adulterated with undisclosed amounts of medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, posing serious health risks.
The warning, issued in a statement Monday, follows a significant increase in seizures of the product in recent years. Customs officers reported a major incident in November at the port of Marseille, where they discovered 860,000 individual units of the honey weighing a total of 13 metric tonnes (14.3 tons) in a shipment from Malaysia. Another investigation led to the seizure of over 238 kilograms (525 pounds) in a storage box.
Laboratory analysis of the seized honey has revealed the presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients such as sildenafil and tadalafil, which are commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. These drugs are regulated in France and require a doctor’s prescription. However, the illegal honey products lack any indication of the dosage of these ingredients, as well as any mention of potential side effects or contraindications, according to officials.
Erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, is a common condition, often associated with low testosterone levels, particularly in older men. While medication can be used to treat the condition, these drugs can also be misused to counter the effects of alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana on sexual function.
The adulterated honey products primarily originate from Malaysia, Turkey, and Tunisia, arriving in large quantities on container ships or in smaller amounts through online sales. These products, often branded under names like “Black Horse” and “Bio Max” and sold in shots or stick formats, are illegally marketed in venues such as nightclubs, falsely promising health benefits.
