BPOM Finds 12 Illegal Herbal Medicines Contaminated with Chemicals, Mostly Claiming to Boost Stamina

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has discovered 12 illegal products made from natural ingredients (OBA) that were proven to contain medicinal chemicals (BKO) during its monitoring period in April 2026, with the majority of the products claiming to be male stamina boosters. BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated in Jakarta on Monday that the products also included those claiming to relieve aches and pains, treat skin diseases and itching, address digestive disorders, alleviate shortness of breath, and act as slimming agents. “The products found to contain BKO are S Sepuluh, Remurat 001, Jamu Asam Urat Flu Tulang, Kopi Badak Juooss, Kopi Joss, Kenzo, Red Bull, Codryceps Zhi Ke Capsules, Herbal Slim, Sapu Jagat, Miao Jia Zu Dai Fu Yi Jun Ru Gao, and Vall-Boon 606 Antacid Tablets,” he said. Taruna explained that these products contained BKO substances prohibited in OBA, including sildenafil citrate, paracetamol and caffeine, famotidine, sibutramine, dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine maleate, and miconazole. He stated that this practice constitutes fraud that can endanger public health, as the public believes these products are made from natural ingredients. The use of OBA containing BKO without supervision can cause serious side effects. For instance, sildenafil citrate is a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction that should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. Unsupervised use can lead to serious side effects such as a drastic drop in blood pressure, heart attacks, and liver and kidney damage. “Meanwhile, the use of OBA containing paracetamol can increase the risk of impaired liver function,” Taruna said. He reminded the public not to treat complaints of shortness of breath carelessly. Shortness of breath can be a sign of a serious health condition and requires examination and treatment by health professionals. As a follow-up to these findings, BPOM is taking regulatory steps in accordance with the law, including product recalls, destruction, and blocking of sales links. “Currently, tracing and investigation of the business actors who produce and distribute these products are underway,” he said. BPOM will take firm action against perpetrators under Article 435 in conjunction with Article 138 paragraphs (2) and (3) of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and/or a maximum fine of IDR 5 billion. To strengthen oversight, BPOM continues to enhance cross-sector collaboration with law enforcement officials, relevant ministries, and digital platforms to ensure only safe and quality products circulate in the community. BPOM urges the public to be more critical of products with exaggerated claims such as ‘instant stamina boost’ or ‘relieves aches and pains in a flash’, as products with such claims carry a high risk of containing BKO. He reminded the public to always verify the distribution permit number of products they intend to buy or consume through the official website https://cekbpom.pom.go.id/ or the BPOM Mobile application. The public is also urged to increase awareness of dangerous OBAs, the list of which can be viewed through the press release/public explanation menu on the https://www.pom.go.id/ website and BPOM’s official social media channels. “I urge the public to only buy products from trusted sources, both online and offline, and to always scrutinise the product information on the packaging, promotions, or advertisements,” he said. BPOM also advises the public to remain vigilant and careful when purchasing and using OBA products and health supplements. If suspicious products are found, the public should immediately report them to BPOM through the HALOBPOM Contact Center at 1500533, BPOM’s official social media, or the nearest BPOM technical implementation unit (UPT).