Why do buyers nearly pay for a herbal coffee that is already banned?
The courier is already at the gate. The buyer nearly hands over the cash, because last night's chat said this coffee is not the banned one, this one is different. Pause. A pleasant name and the line “this one is different” do not prove the pack is safe. Some coffees and herbal products really are banned, because government tests found prescription medicines that are not allowed, or the label does not carry enough information. Do not look for another seller of a product that has already been banned.
Why do people nearly fall for a herbal coffee?
Because the sale is quick and the pitch is friendly. The seller whispers that the banned brand is someone else's, and the pack in your hand is an ordinary herbal coffee. A buyer who is tired after work does not stop to read the small label. With cash on delivery, the money only leaves your hand when the parcel arrives, so it feels as if you have not lost anything yet.
Malaysian authorities have announced two different reasons. First, a product labelled as traditional or herbal sometimes contains a prescription medicine that is not allowed in that formula. Second, some coffee products fail food labelling rules, so they cannot be advertised or sold. A ban is about the products named in the statement. It is not a list of every coffee, and it is not an invitation to look for a similar replacement.
What did the NPRA pull on 18 March 2019?
On 18 March 2019, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) asked the public not to buy or use the traditional product Nan Bao Capsule. The NPRA said the product was found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil. Its registration was cancelled by the Drug Control Authority at its 332nd meeting because neither substance is allowed in a traditional-product formula.
The NPRA said sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription medicines. Medicines that contain them may be supplied only by a doctor, or by a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. The NPRA warned that use without a doctor's supervision can cause serious effects, including reduced or lost sight and hearing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. The risk is higher for heart patients, such as people with angina who take nitrate medicines.
The NPRA also said selling and distributing that product breaks the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984. For a first offence, a person may be fined not more than RM25,000 or jailed for not more than 3 years, or both. A later offence: a fine of not more than RM50,000 or jail of not more than 5 years, or both. A company: a fine of up to RM50,000 for a first offence and up to RM100,000 for a later offence. People already using the product were advised to stop at once and to get health advice if they feel unwell.
What happened to Kopi Pejuang in August 2024?
On 22 August 2024, Utusan reported a statement from the Ministry of Health Malaysia through the Food Safety and Quality Programme. The ministry confirmed that the product Kopi Pejuang was found to contain tadalafil. Every seller, including online sellers, still holding stock was told to stop sales immediately. Advertising on e-commerce platforms and social media was also to stop. If a chat says the old stock is still fine, that is not permission.
Utusan reported that the label did not comply with the Food Regulations 1985 because it had no name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, owner of the right to manufacture, or importer. Because of that, the ministry said the product could not be advertised for sale and could not be sold under Regulation 9. Do not look for another seller of Kopi Pejuang.
Utusan also reported that from 2021 through July 2024, 500 coffee samples of various brands were analysed and 7 samples contained scheduled poisons that are not allowed under the Food Regulations 1985. Utusan quoted the ministry: if convicted, a fine of not more than RM100,000 or jail of not more than 10 years, or both.
What is the one question to ask before you hand over cash?
Ask this: can I see a photo of the full label now, before the courier arrives? If the answer wanders, that is already enough reason not to pay.
- Ask for a photo of the full label: product name, ingredients, the producer or distributor's name and address, directions and warnings.
- Look for a MAL number if the product is a medicine, traditional product or supplement, then check it on QUEST3+.
- For the MAL number, the FarmaTag hologram and how to complain, follow how to check KKM registration.
- If the label has no producer name, or the seller will not show the label, do not buy.
A sales name such as kopi jantan does not tell you whether that pack is registered. Check the pack in front of you, not the name used in an advert.
If it is not that coffee, what is in the Lebih Yakin catalogue?
This article is not a suggestion to replace a banned coffee. In this site's catalogue, Magnum Pump, Ultrahot and Horsemen are each RM159, with free delivery across Malaysia and cash on delivery (COD). Ingredients, directions and warnings are on the pack label, not in this article.
Ask on WhatsApp for a photo of the full label before you order, then check it yourself. This site does not state a MAL number for those products. This article also does not say those products are coffee, and it does not say they contain any herb.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a banned coffee from another seller?
No. If the authorities have ordered sales to stop, do not look for another seller, even if a chat says this stock is different. Stop using it if you already have it, and get a doctor's advice if you feel unwell.
Does every herbal coffee contain a prescription medicine?
No. The statements above are about the named products, and about 7 of 500 coffee samples analysed from 2021 through July 2024. That figure does not mean every coffee. Still check the label of the pack you want to buy.
Where can a MAL number be checked?
On the NPRA product search called QUEST3+. The step-by-step guide is the article on how to check KKM registration, on this blog.
Are Magnum Pump, Ultrahot or Horsemen a coffee?
They are not described that way. Each product page states only the RM159 price, free delivery and payment on delivery. Ingredients are on the label. Ask for a label photo if you want to check before you buy.
Sources
This article is consumer information based on the NPRA statement of 18 March 2019 and Utusan's report of 22 August 2024. The buyer at the gate is an example, not a report of a real case. It is not medical advice and makes no claim about any product.
