French customs officers mentioned Monday {that a} report 31,000 tons of illegally imported honey touted as an all-natural sexual enhancement — however typically tainted with erectile dysfunction medicine — have been seized within the nation final yr.
The packets of honey and gels, bought as “photographs” or “sticks” with names like Black Horse or Bio Max, are sometimes bought surreptitiously in golf equipment and different nightlife spots.
Use of the “aphrodisiac honey” has elevated lately, with officers warning of doubtless critical well being dangers from elements not listed on the labels.
“For the reason that amount of adulteration is unknown, and the doses consumed will not be beneficial or quantified, the patron takes vital dangers by consuming the sort of adulterated honey,” France’s customs workplace mentioned in a press release.
They typically comprise chemical merchandise like sildenafil or tadalafil, the primary substances within the erectile dysfunction medicine Viagra and Cialis, which in France are solely out there on prescription.
France Customs
Already in 2021, well being authorities had warned of a number of circumstances the place the honey had triggered convulsions, cerebral oedemas or acute kidney accidents.
France’s customs workplace mentioned it had seized 31,000 tons, primarily coming from nations together with Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand.
“They arrive by sea, in containers in massive portions, or by specific freight, in smaller volumes, following purchases on the Web,” the workplace mentioned.
The most important discover was made within the Mediterranean port metropolis of Marseille in November — 13 tons price in round 860,000 sticks in a cargo from Malaysia.
Final June, officers mentioned customs officers from Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand seized almost 25,000 doses of the honey in a storage field.
