KUALA LUMPUR: Errant traders and online suppliers are still selling the banned Hamer Ginseng & Coffee Candy.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 19 raids had been conducted and RM18,910 worth of the candy had been seized so far this year.
In 2018, the ministry conducted six raids and seized 328 packets of the sweets worth RM2,724.
The candy has been traced to a number of premises in the Klang Valley.
The ministry has confirmed the presence of nortadalafil, a controlled drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, in the candy.
So far, 21 e-commerce operators have been told to take down their ads on the product since 2018.
“International collaboration with Interpol and other agencies is being carried out in an effort to clamp down on the activity,” he added in a statement here today.
A total of 87 platforms selling the candy have been screened, monitored and blocked nationwide by the Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical enforcement division with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
These include Facebook and Google account domains, and web hosts.
“Those selling scheduled poisons without the necessary licences can be investigated under Section 13 of the Poisons Act 1952.
“One can face a maximum penalty of RM3,000 or a year’s jail time or both if found guilty.
“Hence we advise those who have stocked the product to stop the sale immediately,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
He urged those who have information on questionable products to lodge a report.
Complaints can be made to the Health Ministry through any of its portals or by calling 03-78413200.
Last year, countries such as the UAE removed the candy from shelves due to fears of adverse effects, which include a deterioration in or loss of sight and hearing, lowering of blood pressure to dangerous levels, strokes and heart attacks.