Nobody ever expected the phrase “my honey is making it hard for me,” would ever have a double meaning here in the US. Yet, thanks to four companies it has happened.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered unlisted traces of tadalafil (Cialis) and sildenafil (Viagra) in honey products from four different manufacturers. Thirstyrun (also known as US Royal Honey), MKS Enterprise, Shopaax.com, and 1 am USA Incorporated dba Pleasure Products USA all received warnings due to failed lab tests for these products.
Selling food products without listing active drug ingredients is against the law. In a press release, the FDA said, “These undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.” Given how easily these drugs can interact badly, it’s a good thing nobody has been seriously injured or killed because of mixing the two. People with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol often take nitrates to treat their conditions.
The basis for the testing came from the FDA doing lab analysis of various honey-based products marketed as natural ways to stimulate sex drive. While it has allegedly been recommended for centuries, honey has not been shown in randomized clinical trials to have any properties that increase libido. Their misuse of honey to increase sales is bothersome.
For years now there have been warnings about having prepacked foods poisoned or not what they seem to be. Many have considered it to be nothing more than the cost of doing business, or not being such a big deal. However, that potential for drug interactions with other medicines that are often taken by the exact same demographic that would be looking for a libido-boosting food is just dangerous and potentially deadly.
Dr. McMeekin sent out an FDA press release concerning this incident. “Tainted honey-based products like these are dangerous because consumers are likely unaware of the risks associated with the hidden prescription drug ingredients in these products and how they may interact with other drugs and supplements they may take.”
While there was no word as to the concentration levels of these drugs in the honey, one must also concern themselves with what could happen should younger children have ingested it. Given the earlier starting hormones of teenage boys, it could go badly if Bobby comes to stay with Gam-gam and Grandpa for the summer.
He then has someone make him a PB and honey sandwich for lunch, with Grandpa’s honey being used unknowingly. Then he gets sent to swim class or bible study and suddenly finds himself incapable of paying firm attention to the lesson in front of a nun. Or he was ordered out of the pool during swim lessons and was hiding with the lane rope markers. These are just small examples of what a systemic problem we are facing from companies tainting our foods.
Thankfully these were simple routine tests, and nothing indicated that any adults inadvertently overdosed, nor that any children accidentally ingested some in the first place. However, making these kinds of discoveries is important. Keeping the food companies honest can help keep the people healthier. Now if only they could prevent so many food processing plants, factories, and warehouses from randomly catching fire that would be a job well done.
