Key Takeaways:
– 31,000 tons of illegally imported honey seized in France during 2021
– The honey purportedly offers sexual enhancements, often contains erectile dysfunction drugs
– Health authorities have reported instances of severe health risks due to unlisted ingredients
– Majority of the shipments origin traced to countries like Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia, and Thailand
Unprecedented Seizure of Adulterated Honey
In a surprising turn of events, French customs officials seized a record-breaking 31,000 tons of illicit honey last year. This honey is touted as an all-natural sexual enhancement but is frequently laced with erectile dysfunction drugs. Disconcertingly, consumption of this so-called “aphrodisiac honey” under the guise of added benefits has been on a significant rise in recent years.
Unsuspecting Consumers at Risk
The honeys, often packaged as “shots” or “sticks” and marketed under names like Black Horse or Bio Max, are surreptitiously sold in nightlife locations. Despite their supposedly natural label, these honey packets often contain chemical compounds like sildenafil or tadalafil. These are the active ingredients in erectile dysfunction medicines such as Viagra and Cialis, available only with a prescription in France.
According to the French customs office, the exact amount of adulteration in these honey packets is unknown. As a result, consumers unknowingly take significant risks by consuming this adulterated honey. They’ve further alerted about potential health hazards caused due to ingredients not listed on the products’ labels.
Health Woes Triggered by Adulterated Honey
Already in 2021, numerous instances were reported where consumption of this honey led to severe health issues. These included convulsions, cerebral oedemas, and acute kidney injuries, as reported by health authorities. In light of these hazardous health effects, there’s an added urgency in curbing the illegal import of these adulterated honey products.
Origins and Entry Points of Illegal Shipments
Investigations reveal that the seized honey mainly originates from countries like Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia, and Thailand. These potentially dangerous goods arrive via the sea in large quantities or through express freight in smaller volumes following online purchases.
The Mediterranean port city of Marseille was the site of the biggest seizure in November, where 13 tons of honey came in about 860,000 sticks from Malaysia. Additionally, last June, customs officers from Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand secured nearly 25,000 doses of adulterated honey from a storage box.
Heightened Vigilance Needed
The alarming increase in import and use of adulterated honey calls for heightened vigilance from customs officials. Citizens too should remain cautious before purchasing purportedly natural products promising sexual enhancements. It’s important to realize the potential health risks of using products with unlisted, illicit, and potentially harmful ingredients. A collaborative effort from authorities and consumers alike is key to contending with such public health threats.