Three coffee and chocolate products containing ginseng have been flagged for containing Nortadalafil, a prohibited substance, following laboratory analyses.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) issued the warning via SPA. The affected items include Parsa Coffee (Coffee with Ginseng), Parsa Choco (Dark Chocolate with Ginseng), and Bintan SKY (Coffee with Ginseng), all of which are packaged in 100 g sachets.
Consumers are urged to stop using these products and dispose of them safely due to potential health risks, especially for people with chronic diseases. The SFDA is implementing regulatory measures to recall and withdraw the items from markets while continuing comprehensive monitoring.
Legal proceedings are underway against the importing companies. Violations of the Food Law and its Implementing Regulations may lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to SAR10 million, or both.
The public can report food product violations through the Unified Call Center at 19999.
Which specific products is the SFDA warning against? The SFDA has issued a warning against three specific products packaged in 100 g sachets. These include Parsa Coffee (Coffee with Ginseng), Parsa Choco (Dark Chocolate with Ginseng), and Bintan SKY (Coffee with Ginseng). Laboratory analyses revealed that these ginseng-containing coffee and chocolate products contain Nortadalafil, which is a prohibited substance.
What are the potential risks and recommended actions for consumers? The SFDA states that these products may pose health risks, particularly for individuals who have chronic diseases. Consequently, the authority urges consumers to immediately stop using Parsa Coffee, Parsa Choco, and Bintan SKY, and to safely dispose of any units they currently have in their possession.
What legal penalties and reporting methods are mentioned by the SFDA? Violating the Food Law and its Implementing Regulations can result in a fine of up to SAR10 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. To help with market surveillance, the SFDA encourages the public to report any food product violations by contacting the Unified Call Center at 19999.