PUTRAJAYA, March 16 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has banned the sale and use of the Slymchoco or Slymochoco chocolate product, which has been found to contain the scheduled poison sibutramine, a chemical compound that acts as an appetite suppressant.
It reminded offline and online traders to stop selling the product immediately and contact the nearest District Health Office instead.
MOH also instructed all advertising media, including on e-commerce and social media platforms, to cease advertising the banned food product.
“Members of the public must stop taking the product immediately and seek advice and treatment from health professionals,” it said in a statement today.
The ministry urged consumers to exercise caution and prudence when purchasing food products which may be adulterated with prohibited substances.
The product was also found to not be in compliance with labelling requirements under the Food Regulations 1985, as they lacked the product name in Bahasa Malaysia, and did not include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor or proprietor.
Slymchoco or Slymochoco also claims it is a ‘premium’ product and displays fake GMP and MeSTI certifications.
Due to the violations, it cannot be advertised for sale or sold as stipulated under Regulation 9 of the Food Regulations 1985.
Based on the data from the international study ‘Sibutramine on Cardiovascular Outcome Study (SCOUT)’, sibutramine has been found to increase cardiovascular risks including heart attacks and strokes in obese patients.
“Hence, MOH has classified sibutramine as a prohibited substance,” it said, adding that among the reported side effects are disruptions in the heart system’s function, like causing the heart to beat faster even in a resting state.
“There are also mild effects, including dry mouth, nausea, constipation, sleeping difficulties, dizziness, menstrual cramps, and so on. Sibutramine is widely used in weight loss products,” said MOH.
Under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983, it is an offence for any party to prepare or sell food products containing poisonous and harmful substances, which is liable to a fine of up to RM100,000 or a jail term of up to 10 years or both.
Per its Food Safety and Quality programme, MOH will conduct regular inspections to ensure no food products containing or mixed with prohibited substances, including sildenafil, tadalafil, sibutramine, dexamethasone, and prednisolone, are being sold.
“Should consumers have any concerns regarding any food safety issues, they can contact the nearest District Health Office or State Health Department or contact the ministry, or the Food Safety and Quality Division Facebook page,” it said.
— Bernama
