A good cup of coffee is supposed to perk you up – though one manufacturer has been accused of taking that idea too far.
A instant coffee mix sold by a Malaysian firm was found by Singapore’s food safety watchdog to contain an erectile dysfunction drug.
Officials warned the product, called Kopi Penumbuk, includes unlisted tadalafil, a prescription drug which can cause severe health complications if misused.
The mix has appeared on online e-commerce platforms and has been advertised on social media outside Malaysia, though it’s not clear if any has reached the UK.
Malay-language posts promote it as a ‘guaranteed safe’ coffee which can help to enhance male sexual performance.
In most countries tadalafil must be prescribed by a doctor with strict guidance on safe usage.
If used incorrectly it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, migraine, rapid drop in blood pressure or priapism (a painful, prolonged erection).
People with existing heart conditions are at higher risk, particularly if already taking certain medications.
Singapore has banned the product from its territory and the government says it has ‘worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove listings of the product’.
Officials say they have also ‘issued warnings to the respective sellers to refrain from selling the product with immediate effect’, with potential fines of up to S$5,000 (£2,890) for infractions.
Last year another Malaysian instant coffee mix advertised as containing only ‘coffee with selected and high-quality herbs’ was also found to contain the same drug.
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