Dealers accused of mixing honey with Viagra

Saudi honey dealers have been accused of mixing their products with Viagra and other sexual stimulants to attract customers and make more money.

The Arabic language daily ‘Aleqtisadiah’ said many shops had been warned while others had been fined or shut after their honey products were found to contain such stimulants.

The paper quoted unnamed officials at the ministry of trade and industry as saying tests showed honey sold by some shops had been mixed with Viagra or other sexual tonics and that some of those who had bought such products had fallen ill.

It also quoted a doctor at a local hospital as saying dealers were ignoring warnings by the ministry to stop such a practice as it poses health hazards especially to old people and those who are suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Some shops in Riyadh are mixing their honey products with Viagra and other sexual stimulant drugs and sell them to customers without their knowledge,” the paper said, quoting Dr Mohammed Al Tufail, a nutrition consultant.

The report said such practices have largely increased the profits of dealers as they attracted more customers despite the large increase in prices.

“Some dealers are selling a kilo of honey for SR300 (Dh300) although the official price is SR50 (Dh50)…they are just fooling the customers by telling them their products increase their sexual ability,” a ministry source told the paper.

“This is a serious offence, which is strictly against the law…we are conducting regular inspections of those shops to ensure they stop such practices…we have warned them many times that they face closure if they commit such offences.”
 

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