France seizes tonnes of ‘aphrodisiac honey’ from Malaysia

The packets of honey and gels, often tainted with erectile dysfunction drugs, also entered France by ship from Thailand, Turkey and Tunisia

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A French customs officer holds packs of illegally imported “Black Horse” honey touted as an all-natural sexual enhancement. Photo: Douanes Francaises/AFP

Published: 10:06am, 21 Jan 2025Updated: 10:07am, 21 Jan 2025

French customs officials have seized tonnes of illegally imported honey touted as an all-natural sexual enhancement, but often tainted with erectile dysfunction drugs.

The packets of honey and gels, sold as “shots” or “sticks” with names like Black Horse or Bio Max, are often sold surreptitiously in clubs and other nightlife spots.

French customs said on Monday they had seized the “aphrodisiac honey” after checks on 31,000 tonnes of honey consignments mainly entering by ship from countries including Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand.

Packs of illegally imported “aphrodisiac honey” are seen at a French customs office. Photo: Douanes Francaises/AFP

Use of the “aphrodisiac honey” has increased in recent years, with officials warning of potentially serious health risks from ingredients not listed on the labels.

They often contain chemical products such as sildenafil or tadalafil, the main substances in the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis, which in France are only available on prescription.

In 2021, health authorities in the European nation warned of several cases where the honey had caused convulsions, cerebral oedemas or acute kidney injuries.

The biggest find of the illegal stock was made in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille in November – 13 tonnes’ worth in around 860,000 sticks in a shipment from Malaysia.