HK health watchdog monitors tainted ‘virility candy’ case
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Mainland police have broken up a case involving the manufacture and sale of toxic food after a so-called virility candy, marketed as being made in Hong Kong, was found to have been produced in Hubei instead. The candy allegedly contained tadalafil, a prescription drug, and some consumers reported feeling unwell after taking it and called police. Authorities arrested 26 people, seized 2.6 tonnes of the candy, shut 25 online shops and said the case involved as much as RMB5 million. Hong Kong’s Department of Health said tadalafil is a Part 1 poison and prescription-only medicine under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, and that it has an established mechanism to monitor the market, including medicines sold online.
Key Points
- Police in Nanjing, Jiangsu uncovered a toxic food manufacturing and sales case linked to candy promoted as a Hong Kong-made sexual enhancement product
- The product was actually made in Hubei, not Hong Kong, and was found to contain illegally added tadalafil, a prescription medicine.
- One report said the candy, described as “Hanma candy”, looked like ordinary sweets and was marketed online as boosting energy
- Consumers reported discomfort after eating the candy, prompting police reports that led authorities to investigate the product.
- Authorities said 26 suspects were arrested, 2.6 tonnes of related candy were seized, 25 online stores were closed, and the case involved RMB5 million.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case raises concern that products falsely labelled as Hong Kong-made can be used to build trust while concealing illegal drug ingredients. It also underlines the risk of buying purported health or sexual enhancement products online, where the Department of Health says it is already monitoring sales and can investigate or refer suspected illegal cases for enforcement.