The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a news release on Thursday (Sep 10) that these four food products sold online include a banned substance and a laxative that could cause serious adverse effects if consumed:
- Nutriline Thinsline
- Nutriline Cleansline
- Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea
- KiMiSo Dark Chocolate
The range of products was sold on platforms such as Shopee, Qoo10, Facebook, and Instagram. “HSA has issued warnings to the sellers of these four products and directed the respective website administrators to take down the affected listings,” noted HSA.
“All sellers and suppliers must stop selling these products immediately. It is illegal to sell and supply adulterated products containing banned substances or potent medicinal ingredients.”
If convicted, sellers and suppliers could face up to two years in jail and/or fined up to S$10,000.
Nutriline Thinsline & Nutriline Cleansline
Image Credits: CNA
A banned substance in Singapore named sibutramine was present in Nutriline Thinsline. Sibutramine was banned in Singapore since 2010 because of a rise in the risk of heart attacks and strokes for people who consume it.
A woman who consumed a sachet of Nutriline Thinsline reported to HSA that she experienced extreme thirst, irregular heartbeat, and loss of appetite.
On the other hand, Nutriline Cleansline contained sennoside, a laxative. The two Nutriline products are usually sold in pairs and advertised as natural supplements for detoxification and weight loss. There are also claims to increase metabolism rate and curb appetite.
In fact, this is not the first time Nutriline products are coming into the spotlight. In 2017, another Nutriline product named Nutriline Bluvelle was also found to have the banned substance, sibutramine. It had caused increased heartbeat, dizziness, and anxiety in a consumer, HSA said.
Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea
Image Credits: CNA
The banned substance – sibutramine – was also found in Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea. If the name sounds familiar to you, that’s because earlier this year, a product named Freaky Fitz Passion Lemon Tea was found to contain the same banned substance by HSA.
KiMiSo Dark Chocolate
Image Credits: CNA
KiMiSo Dark Chocolate contained both sibutramine and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine causes drowsiness, which can increase the risk of accidents if one were to drive or operate machinery.
A consumer suspected that KiMiSo Dark Chocolate might contain potent ingredients after reading the reviews on the product.
What to do if you’ve taken these products?
First, stop consuming immediately. If you’re feeling unwell or concerned with the health effects, seek medical attention.
Going forward, it’s also wise to be aware of unfamiliar brands that are sold online. This is especially so for products that promise exaggerated weight loss possibilities within a short span of time.
When in doubt, report to the HSA via email at [email protected] or phone them at 6866 3485.