In brief

On 5 December 2024, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore published an update regarding products found by foreign regulators in November 2024 to contain impermissible and potent ingredients that may cause harmful side effects.

The HSA not only conducts surveillance on health products found locally but also monitors overseas enforcement actions. To better protect local consumers from harmful health products that can be found overseas and online, the HSA issues consumer updates on products that may pose a threat to public health.

The HSA’s close monitoring of noncompliant health products in other countries and overseas regulators’ actions indicates that potential noncompliance in other jurisdictions may lead to knock-on effects in Singapore (e.g., negative publicity and potential perception in Singapore that the health products are adulterated).

Sellers and suppliers of health products should note that anyone who supplies adulterated health products in Singapore may face a fine of up to SGD 100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

The HSA published a consolidated list of health products that were found and reported by health regulators overseas (including regulators in the Philippines, the UK, Myanmar, Hong Kong, the US and Canada).

The health products that were found to contain potent ingredients range from hair care products to cosmetic products. The HSA also provided a brief explanation of the possible side effects of the potent ingredients found in these health products.

The HSA has advised the public to refrain from purchasing these products when overseas and to exercise caution when buying health products online or from unfamiliar sources (especially from overseas suppliers), regardless of whether they are recommended by friends or relatives. It also warns consumers to be careful of products guaranteeing quick results or making exaggerated claims (e.g., “100% safe” or “no side effects”). Consumers should also be cautious of products that produce unexpected quick recoveries from medical conditions.

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