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Surge in Illegally Imported Honey Raises Health Concerns in France

French customs authorities revealed on Monday that an unprecedented 31,000 tons of illegally imported honey, often marketed as a natural sexual enhancement product, were confiscated last year. This honey is frequently contaminated with erectile dysfunction drugs, leading to serious health risks.

The honey products, which come in packets labeled as “shots” or “sticks” with branding such as Black Horse or Bio Max, are often clandestinely sold in nightlife venues and clubs. These so-called “aphrodisiac honeys” have witnessed a notable increase in popularity, which has raised alarms among health officials due to their unpredictable and potentially harmful ingredients.

In a statement, France’s customs office cautioned about the dangers associated with these adulterated products. They emphasized that, given the uncertain levels of contamination and lack of recommended dosages, consumers face substantial health risks when consuming these products. The customs office stated, “Since the quantity of adulteration is unknown, and the doses consumed are not recommended or quantified, the consumer takes significant risks by consuming this type of adulterated honey.“

The illicit products often contain active ingredients like sildenafil and tadalafil, which are the primary components found in the prescription-only erectile dysfunction medications Viagra and Cialis. The upsurge in these imports has resulted in previous warnings from French health authorities, especially in 2021, when there were reports of severe health issues linked to the consumption of this honey, including convulsions, cerebral edema, and acute kidney injuries.

France’s customs office specified that the majority of the confiscated honey originated from countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia, and Thailand. They noted that these products typically arrive in large quantities via sea freight or in smaller amounts through express shipping methods, often as part of online purchases.

The largest single seizure occurred last November in Marseille, where customs officials discovered a staggering 13 tons of honey—approximately 860,000 individual sticks—in a shipment from Malaysia. Furthermore, in June, customs officers in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand intercepted nearly 25,000 doses of this unregulated honey stored in a box.

This growing trend of illegal honey imports not only highlights the challenges of regulating consumer products but also underscores the urgent need for public awareness regarding the consumption of unverified substances. Health officials are calling for increased vigilance and education to mitigate the potential dangers associated with these deceptive products.

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