BPOM flags 41 herbal products laced with hidden drugs, warns of liver and kidney damage

Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has again identified 41 natural health products that tested positive for medicinal chemicals during November and December 2025. The findings came from an intensified, two-month surveillance operation that included on-site tracing of manufacturing and distribution facilities.

From 2,923 samples examined — covering natural health products, quasi drugs and health supplements — BPOM reported the following results:

• In November, 32 products contained medicinal chemicals out of 1,087 samples

• In December, 9 products contained medicinal chemicals out of 1,836 samples

BPOM declared all products detected in the sweep to be illegal. Most did not have distribution permits, while others were found to display fake or fictitious registration numbers.

The latest findings add to a growing list recorded in 2025. BPOM said it tested 11,654 natural health products and health supplements from January through December 2025, and confirmed 206 products contained medicinal chemicals.

The agency said the most frequently added medicinal substances included:

• Sildenafil

• Dexamethasone and paracetamol

• Sibutramine

BPOM head Taruna Ikrar stressed that adding medicinal chemicals into products marketed as herbal remedies is dangerous because consumers take them without medical supervision.

Potential health impacts vary depending on the substances found, BPOM said:

• Sildenafil: vision disturbances, headaches, heart attack, death

• Dexamethasone and paracetamol: osteoporosis, mental disorders, blood abnormalities, liver damage

• Sibutramine: increased blood pressure, faster heart rate, insomnia

• Long-term use: permanent liver and kidney damage

“Products claimed to be herbal remedies are in fact containing active ingredients from hard drugs. This is a legal violation and a real threat to public health,” Taruna said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb. 10, 2026).

BPOM said it has taken enforcement action across production sites, distribution channels and retail points. Sanctions include:

• Written warnings

• Product recalls and destruction

• Revocation of distribution permits

• Criminal proceedings if elements of wrongdoing are found

Offenders may face charges under Health Law No. 17/2023, with penalties of up to 12 years in prison or a fine of Rp5 billion.

Findings reported abroad

Through the ASEAN Post-Marketing Alert System (PMAS) network, BPOM also said it received reports of tainted products detected in other countries:

• Thailand: five slimming and male stamina products contained sibutramine, sildenafil and tadalafil

• Singapore: one pain-relief product contained dexamethasone, prednisolone and diclofenac

• New Caledonia: one Indonesia-origin product contained tramadol

BPOM said the reports indicate that hazardous products have circulated across borders.

BPOM urged the public to follow its “Cek KLIK” checklist:

• Check the packaging

• Check the label

• Check the distribution permit (via the BPOM Mobile app)

• Check the expiry date

The agency warned consumers to be especially cautious when buying products online.

“Do not be tempted by instant claims. Do not let illegal products damage your body and your future,” Taruna said.

BPOM asked the public not to consume products included on the agency’s findings list and to report suspicious items through HALOBPOM at 1500533 or the nearest local BPOM office.

Below is the list of 41 natural health products subject to enforcement by BPOM for containing medicinal chemicals, using fictitious or revoked registration numbers, or being unregistered with BPOM.

Male stamina / sexual enhancement claims

AMK Madu Tonik Cap Kuda (sildenafil, tadalafil) (registration revoked)
Jamu Suami (sildenafil citrate, caffeine) (unregistered)
Daun Muda (sildenafil citrate) (fictitious registration)
Super Strong Madu Kuat Alami Tahan Lama (sildenafil citrate) (unregistered)
Jakarta Bandung Plus (sildenafil citrate, paracetamol) (fictitious registration)
Kopi Ginseng Siberia New: sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, vardenafil HCl, yohimbine HCl (fictitious registration)
Premium Kapsul Herbal: sildenafil (unregistered)

Dayak Ramuan Kalimantan Kuno: sildenafil (fictitious registration)
Akiyo Candy: tadalafil (unregistered)
Raja Ranjang Ganas: sildenafil citrate (fictitious registration)
Jaran Segoro: sildenafil, paracetamol (fictitious registration)
Mallboro Black: sildenafil, paracetamol (fictitious registration)
Black Honey: sildenafil citrate (unregistered)
Raja Ranjang Ganas Serbuk: sildenafil citrate (fictitious registration)
Gatot Koco: vardenafil HCl (unregistered)
Raja Ranjang Ganas Kapsul: sildenafil (fictitious registration)
Soloco: tadalafil (unregistered)
Misteri Energetic Candy: tadalafil (unregistered)
Kapsul Butea-S: sildenafil, tadalafil (fictitious registration)
Kopi Mandalika: sildenafil, tadalafil (fictitious registration)
ZUKOI: sildenafil (unregistered, Thailand)
THANO: sildenafil, tadalafil (unregistered, Thailand)

Aches, rheumatism and joint pain claims

Daun Mujarab: diclofenac sodium, paracetamol (fictitious registration)
Jamu Jawa Asli Sarang Tawon: diclofenac sodium (registration revoked)
Angger Waras Pegal Linu Tutup Merah: dexamethasone (fictitious registration)
Angger Waras Pegal Linu Tutup Kuning: dexamethasone (fictitious registration)
Naga Mas: ibuprofen (registration revoked)
Tawon Sakti Kapsul: dexamethasone (fictitious registration)
Buah Merah Mahkota Dewa Plus: dexamethasone (fictitious registration)
Jamu Jawa Tradisional Jamu Herbal Alami: dexamethasone (fictitious registration)
HW Beauty (powder mix of dates, honey, kasturi lime): dexamethasone, prednisolone, diclofenac (Singapore)
Tawon (imported): tramadol, anti-inflammatory (New Caledonia)

Weight gain claims

Obat Gemuk: dexamethasone (unregistered)
Vitagem: cyproheptadine (unregistered)
Vitamin Gemuk: cyproheptadine (unregistered)
Vitamin Puyer Suplemen Sehat: dexamethasone, cyproheptadine (unregistered)
Super Gemoy: cyproheptadine HCl, dexamethasone (unregistered)

Slimming claims

Cathrine Slim: sibutramine (unregistered)
Mamychin Slimming Capsule: sibutramine (unregistered)
Fix Slim Super Booster / Hendel Exitox Green Coffee Bean / Faslim / Extra Slimming / Slimmy Pink / Super Slimming Herb / Max 7 Days 7 Kg / Detox Slim: sibutramine, N-desmethyl sibutramine, bisacodyl (illegal, fictitious registration, overseas report)

Diabetes symptom claims

Jiang Tang Wan: glibenclamide (unregistered)

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