Viagra-laced 'erectile honey' is being sold in French convenience stores and online for 'recreational purposes' – despite warnings from authorities that it could have deadly consequences.
There has been a huge surge in sales of banned 'love honey', with customs officials saying they seized tonnes of illegally imported nectar last year.
The products, which can be purchased for as little as €5, have not been tested and may contain potentially fatal doses of prescription drugs, according to experts.
Despite claiming to be an all-natural aphrodisiac, the substances contain active elements of Viagra and Cialis, which are used to treat erectile dysfunction.
“There is a risk of very serious or even fatal accidents if it is taken simultaneously with other drugs,” Dr. Alain Ducardonnet, a cardiologist, told French broadcaster BFMTV, adding that overdose is also a risk.
“If you take too much, you risk seizures, bleeding or kidney problems,” he said.
Photos show seized black and yellow boxes containing the packets of honey and gels, sold as 'shots' or 'sticks' with names such as Black Horse or Bio Max.
The products are often sold covertly in clubs and other entertainment venues, as well as widely online, with the honey reportedly becoming increasingly popular among young men.
French customs officials say they seized tons of illegally imported nectar last year
Photos show seized black and yellow boxes containing the packets of honey and gels, sold as 'shots' or 'sticks' with names such as Black Horse or Bio Max
“Following a trend, a younger audience is flocking to this because they think they can match the performance on porn sites,” a police officer told Le Figaro newspaper.
In France, men suffering from erectile dysfunction can easily get medication if they attend a medical consultation, with warnings that people should seek prescriptions from registered professionals rather than self-medicate.
'Since the amount of adulteration is unknown and the doses consumed are not recommended or quantified, consumers are taking significant risks by taking this type of adulterated honey, especially as there is no mention of dosage, contraindications or adverse effects on the sachets. French customs said in a statement.
The illicit products, which largely come from Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand, “arrive by sea, in containers in large quantities, or by express freight, in smaller volumes, after purchases on the Internet,” the statement said.
French customs said they had seized large quantities of the products after checks on 31,000 tonnes of honey shipments arriving mainly by ship from these countries.
In November, officials at the port of Marseille seized a record 13.9 tons of aphrodisiac honey from Malaysia – enough of the product to sell about 860,000 doses.
French customs said they had seized large quantities of the products after checks on 31,000 tonnes of honey shipments
Police have also seized shipments in the Paris region and elsewhere, with officers in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand removing more than 238kg (nearly 25,000 doses) from a storage box.
According to Le Figaro, the product started flooding the French market around 2019.
Prices range from €30 per jar to €50 for 10 bags of 15-30 grams each, The Telegraph reports, and they are often sold in shops that also sell illegal cigarettes and drugs.
Already in 2021, health authorities had warned of several cases where the honey had caused convulsions, cerebral edema or acute kidney injury.
