In a significant crackdown, French customs officials have seized a record 31,000 tons of illegally imported honey, commonly marketed as a natural sexual enhancer but often contaminated with erectile dysfunction drugs such as sildenafil and tadalafil. The seized honey, packaged in “shots” or “sticks” under names like Black Horse and Bio Max, is frequently distributed covertly within nightlife venues across France, CBS reported.

Officials have noted a troubling rise in the consumption of this “aphrodisiac honey,” prompting warnings related to unlisted ingredients that may pose serious health risks. The French customs office indicated that the honey often contains unregulated chemical compounds that can lead to dangerous side effects. Since these products are adulterated without proper dosing information, consuming them can result in conditions such as convulsions, cerebral edema, or acute kidney injuries, as previously cautioned by health authorities in 2021 South China Morning Post.

The most notable seizure occurred in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, where authorities uncovered 13 tons of this hazardous honey in a shipment originating from Malaysia. Custom officials explained that these illicit consignments typically arrive by sea or via express freight from multiple source countries, including Turkey, Tunisia, and Thailand.

With public health at risk, French officials continue to emphasize the dangers attached to the consumption of these unregulated products. The illicit trade highlights the necessity for enhanced scrutiny and regulation of such health-related items.