The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has issued a public health alert regarding ChoCo Premix Coffee, a product marketed for weight loss that has been found to contain sibutramine, a substance banned in Singapore since 2010 due to its association with increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Sibutramine, which is available only by prescription, poses serious health risks, including potential heart complications and central nervous system disorders, such as psychosis and hallucinations. There have also been instances of seizures linked to the drug.
Consumers are strongly advised against purchasing or consuming ChoCo Premix Coffee, despite its promotion as a solution for weight loss, muscle preservation, enhanced fat burning, and various other health benefits.
In response to these findings, the SFA has collaborated with multiple e-commerce platforms to eliminate listings of the product and has warned sellers to cease distribution immediately. The agency has pledged to enforce strict penalties against those who continue to sell unsafe food items containing prohibited substances, with fines reaching up to $5,000 for first-time offenders and up to $10,000 or imprisonment for repeat offenders.