Brunei recalls Malaysia-made instant coffee after finding toxic substances

Brunei recalls Malaysia-made instant coffee after finding toxic substances

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has recalled Malaysian-made coffee product Lion Cafe after it was found to contain sildenafil, classified as restricted poisons that can be harmful to an individual's health.

The ministry in a statement said test results from its Scientific Services Lab found the instant coffee with toxic substances.

According to the ministry, sildenafil is a controlled substance under Section 114 of the 1956 Poison Act, and are used to treat erectile dysfunction which requires prescription and supervision by a doctor.

The side effects of consuming the substances are nausea, vomiting, facial redness and dizziness, while severe cases could lead to increased heart rate, sudden hearing loss and seizures, according to the MoH.

The ministry explained that it had never authorised the import and sale of the products, and the import and sale of the aforementioned product is prohibited as a result of the findings.

The ministry advised those who use, own, import or sell the product to stop consuming, importing and selling, and to hand it over to the Quality Control and Food Safety Division of the Medical Services Department or any health office in the district for it to be destroyed.

Under Section 9 (1) (i) of the Public Health (food) Act (Chapter 182), those who prepare, sell or import the product can face imprisonment of five years, a fine or both.

The public have also been reminded that it is an offence under Section 17 of the 1956 Poison Act (Chapter 114) to sell any products that contain controlled substances under the Act.

Anyone found guilty can be punished with a $8,000 fine or jailed for six months.

The ministry added that those who flout the norm, due to carelessness or otherwise endangering lives of people, may face 12 months' imprisonment or a $16,000 fine, if found guilty.

Further information regarding the import and sale of food products can be obtained by reaching the Quality Control and Food Safety Division at 2331100-05/06/09/10.

Information regarding poisonous substances under the Poison Act may be accessed from the Pharmacy Enforcement Division at 2393298 extension 208.

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