Jan 21, 2025 12:45:00

French customs warns against imports of 'erection honey'

French customs has issued a warning following a series of cases where drugs such as sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, have been mixed into honey for illegal import.

Alerte aux consommateurs : saisies de miel adultéré, dit « miel érectile » : un produit interdit et dangereux pour la santé |

https://www.douane.gouv.fr/actualites/alerte-aux-consommateurs-saisies-de-miel-adultere-dit-miel-erectile-un-produit-interdit

Viagra-laced 'erectile honey' is flooding into France, officials warn – POLITICO

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-warns-of-viagra-laced-erectile-honey-flooding-into-the-country/

In November 2024, customs officials at the port of Marseille analyzed samples of honey imported from Malaysia and found that it contained sildenafil and tadalafil, active ingredients in drugs prescribed for erectile dysfunction, and more than 13 tons of honey was seized.

Illegal imports of such 'erection honey' have been increasing year by year, with only 18 cases of illegal imports in 2019, but 131 cases of illegal imports discovered in 2023. In 2024, there was an incident in which more than 13 tons of the above-mentioned erection honey was seized, and it is certain that the number will exceed that of 2023.

France imports 31,000 tonnes of natural honey annually, mainly from Ukraine, Belgium and Spain, but the honey that is illegally laced with drugs is often from Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand. Orders are placed online, and large quantities are shipped by sea, while small quantities are shipped by express, such as by airplane.


The honey that was successfully imported was processed into sticks of about 15 grams each and sold individually for a few euros (about 1,000 yen). It has been found that when selling it, consumers are deceived with inappropriate slogans such as 'enhancing the party,' 'improving your figure,' and 'becoming healthy.'

'Consumers are taking a significant risk by consuming this illegal honey,' the agency said, adding that it will continue to monitor the honey along all routes of movement.