Illegal Food Products Found – "Potency Honey" is Dangerous

Food products with names like „Jaguar Power“, „Horny Performance Chocolate“, or „Secret Miracle Honey“ are increasingly being seized by customs authorities – foods that are mixed with illegal drugs and promise potency-enhancing effects.

A spokesperson for the Karlsruhe Government Presidium, which is responsible for the nationwide inspection of products intercepted by customs in Baden-Württemberg, reported 18 cases last year in which honey-like pastes were seized and analyzed. "All products contained the undeclared active ingredients Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil," said the spokesperson.

Dangerous and Illegal Ingredients

According to customs officials, dosage information is rarely provided, significantly increasing the risk of overdose. Additionally, product labels often lack ingredient lists. "The consumer is left in the dark about the composition, and therefore cannot know what side effects or risks are associated with taking the product," said the spokesperson.

This is particularly dangerous for individuals with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases or those undergoing treatment with other medications, such as nitrates and ritonavir, used in the treatment of HIV infections and AIDS, as the consumption of these potency-enhancing foods can lead to severe interactions.

No Danger from Supermarket Products

Green Party Member of the State Parliament and hobby beekeeper Ralf Nentwich from Baden-Württemberg confirms that there is no risk of accidentally purchasing one of these products in a supermarket. The illegal food products are primarily purchased online directly by interested individuals or brought back from trips from the country of origin. According to customs, the most common imports come from Turkey, Middle Eastern countries, and Malaysia.

Despite the low risk of randomly encountering such a product in a supermarket, 4.5 kilograms of potency honey were found in a supermarket in Biberach during a routine inspection last year. Investigations were launched against the store owner for violating the Medicines Act.

Products of this type were reportedly first discovered by customs in Germany in 2022. Customs authorities in Munich and Hamburg have reported seizing around 13 tons of such food products in the past.

Photo: Unsplash / by Benyamin Bohlouli