Singapore’s HSA flags three tainted products after severe health incidents, including a 12-year-old

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has issued a public warning against three products marketed as supplements or herbal remedies, after three consumers — including a 12-year-old boy — suffered serious adverse effects. The products, sold online and across the Causeway, contained banned or potent medicinal ingredients not declared on their labels, raising regulatory red flags for cross-border e-commerce and consumer safety in the ASEAN region.

What products were flagged and why?

The three products are C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product, Xue Ya Gao Zhong Feng Qing Cao Yao Cao, and B-Lian-S Herbal Cream. HSA’s lab tests revealed they contained potent steroids, antifungal agents, the banned weight-loss drug sibutramine, and undeclared laxatives. These ingredients, when used without medical supervision, can trigger severe health consequences.

In the case of the 12-year-old, regular application of B-Lian-S Herbal Cream — marketed as a natural, steroid-free formula — led to rapid weight gain of 6 kg and stretch marks over two months. The cream was purchased by his mother via Facebook Messenger from a Malaysia-based vendor. HSA found it contained a potent steroid and an antifungal agent.

A woman who consumed C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product experienced heart palpitations, nausea, constant thirst, and diminished appetite. Though labelled as containing chia and chilli pepper powder, the product also contained sibutramine — banned in Singapore since 2010 due to cardiovascular risks — and sennosides, an undeclared laxative.

A third consumer, a woman in her 60s, developed Cushing’s syndrome after taking Xue Ya Gao Zhong Feng Qing Cao Yao Cao for 10 days. The product, marketed as a herbal remedy for blood vessel blockages and chronic conditions, contained dexamethasone, a potent prescription-only steroid. Her family friend, a pharmacist, reported the case to HSA.

Where were these products sold?

C-Nine was listed on Shopee, Lazada, Carousell, Facebook, and TikTok. HSA has asked platform administrators to remove the listings. Xue Ya Gao was purchased at a market in Bentong, Malaysia. B-Lian-S was sold on Facebook and Shopee by a Malaysia-based vendor, with a linked local Shopee store. HSA worked with the platform to disable the store, and Malaysian authorities have been alerted.

This case highlights the growing challenge of regulating health products sold across borders via digital marketplaces. For ASEAN economies, where e-commerce is booming, such incidents underscore the need for stronger regional coordination on product safety and enforcement.

What should consumers do?

HSA advises those who have taken C-Nine to stop immediately and consult a doctor. Users of Xue Ya Gao or B-Lian-S should see a doctor without delay but must not stop suddenly due to the risk of severe steroid withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and low blood pressure.

Sellers and suppliers of adulterated products face up to two years’ jail and/or fines of up to S$10,000 if convicted.

What are the broader implications for ASEAN?

This case is a reminder that the region’s vibrant cross-border trade in health products — often marketed with natural or herbal claims — can mask serious risks. For Singapore, a hub for e-commerce and health-conscious consumers, the incident reinforces the importance of regulatory vigilance. For ASEAN, it suggests a need for harmonised product safety standards and better information sharing among national authorities. China’s role as a source of many such products also invites gentle scrutiny: its booming online marketplace has yet to fully address quality control, leaving a gap that regional regulators must fill.

Singapore’s model — combining strict enforcement, public education, and rapid digital platform cooperation — offers a benchmark for the region. But as cross-border sales grow, so must the collective response.