The two products in question were Susenji Mofa+ and Fabulous Boom Chocolate Flavour.
The former was detected with sennosides - a medication used for treating constipation but can produce side effects such as abdominal pain, spasms, diarrhoea, and low potassium levels, leading to muscle weakness and/or cramps.
The latter contained sibutramine - a prescription-only weight loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010, due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Seizures, heart problems, and central nervous system disorders have also been reported as side effects of using sibutramine.
According to SFA, Susenji MOFA+‘s country of origin was listed as Malaysia, while the country of origin was not declared on the packaging of Fabulous Boom.
However, based on the product packaging, the latter is printed with the logo of MeSTI, also known as Makanan Selamat Tanggungjawab Industri or Safe Food Certification Scheme for Industry Responsibility - a certification scheme from Malaysia for food manufacturers.
As part of the scheme, food manufacturing premises are guided in developing and implementing a Food Safety Assurance Program before the MeSTI recognition is granted.
Sold on e-commerce platforms
The two products were sold on local Singapore e-commerce platforms and were marketed as weight loss products with claims of effective weight loss, appetite suppressant, detoxify, control hunger, help digestion, and acceleration of metabolism.
The SFA said it has worked with the e-commerce platforms in removing the listing of these products.
It also said it has issued warnings to respective sellers to stop selling the products with immediate effect.
The issue of adulterated weight loss products sold on e-commerce platforms is an issue highlighted by the Singapore authority.
Health Science Authority for instance, said that it had removed over 7,300 illegal product listing from local e-commerce and social media platforms last year.
Counterfeit probiotics, weight loss and male vitality products containing banned ingredients were amongst the removed product listings.
SUSENJI: Surge in “unauthorised” products
Susenji, the company behind Susenji Mofa+, said that the products found to contain unknown and harmful ingredients were “unauthorised” products - which it said have seen a surge recently.
The company has since temporarily suspended the global sales of the product as it investigates the issue, it said in an announcement published on its website.
According to the company, the authentic product is a powder sachet drink containing ingredients such as the Cooltox natural plant extract made using pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius), psyllium husk, fructo-oligosaccharides, and digestive enzyme.
“Recently, we have discovered a surge in unauthorised Susenji Mofa+ products circulating in the market. Some of these products have been found to contain unknown / harmful ingredients, severely impacting our brand and consumer trust.
“In order to conduct a thorough investigation, we have deided to temporaily suspend the global sales of Susenji Mofa+ until further notice.
“This decision applies only to Susenji Mofa+. All other Susenji products remain available for purchase and not affected,” said the notice.
