The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has issued a stern warning to the public following the discovery of 31 illicit traditional medicines and health supplements circulating in the market between May and June 2026. These products were found to contain dangerous undeclared chemical substances, posing severe risks to consumer health, including potential liver and kidney failure. Out of the 31 identified products, 30 were found to be adulterated with chemical drug ingredients (BKO), while one failed to meet fundamental microbiological safety standards.
The Scope of the Illegal Trade
The findings reveal a systemic issue in the unregulated health product sector, where 15 of the identified items carried fictitious registration numbers (NIE), effectively misleading consumers into believing the products had undergone rigorous safety testing. The remaining 16 products were found to be completely unregistered. By bypassing the mandatory BPOM evaluation process, these manufacturers have stripped away any guarantee of efficacy, safety, or quality control.
The products were marketed with a wide array of enticing claims, targeting vulnerable demographics. Common labels included promises of enhanced male stamina, instant pain relief for rheumatism, arthritis, and back pain, as well as weight management solutions. These marketing tactics often lean heavily on the "all-natural" narrative, which the regulatory body warns is frequently a facade for chemical contamination.
Dangerous Chemical Cocktails
The laboratory analysis conducted by BPOM identified a concerning list of substances that have no place in traditional herbal preparations. These include Sildenafil—a potent drug used to treat erectile dysfunction that requires strict medical oversight—as well as common analgesics like Paracetamol and anti-inflammatory agents such as Dexamethasone, Prednisone, and Piroxicam. Other additives detected include Diclofenac, Allopurinol, and Sibutramine, the latter being a banned substance often associated with cardiovascular complications in weight-loss products.
The presence of these drugs is particularly hazardous because consumers are completely unaware of the dosage or the potential for fatal drug interactions. For instance, Sildenafil can be life-threatening when taken by individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or those currently prescribed nitrates. Similarly, the long-term, unmonitored use of corticosteroids like Dexamethasone and Prednisone is known to cause endocrine system disruption, immune suppression, and severe metabolic side effects.
List of Identified Hazardous Products
The following products have been confirmed by BPOM to contain prohibited chemical substances or failed safety inspections:
- Tangkur Cobra (Sildenafil)
- Tangkur Black Cobra (Sildenafil)
- Kopi Joss (Sildenafil)
- Kapsul Stamina dan Tahan Lama cap Beruang Putih (Paracetamol and Sildenafil)
- Urat Naga Extra Strong (Sildenafil)
- Africa Black Ant (Sildenafil)
- Bima Strong (Sildenafil)
- Obat Kuat dan Tahan Lama Jaguar Platinum (Sildenafil)
- Huatuobaifuling (Miconazole and Ketoconazole)
- Daun Madu Hitam (Paracetamol)
- Kapsul Samulin (Allopurinol)
- Montalin (Dexamethasone)
- Jamu Industri Cap Tiga Anak (Caffeine)
- Tawon (Meloxicam)
- Kapsul Panjang Umur Antanan (Paracetamol, Fenilbutazon, Dexamethasone, and Prednisone)
- Kapsul TCU Ramuan Tradisional (Paracetamol, Dexamethasone, Prednisone, and Fenilbutazon)
- Bugarin (Meloxicam, Paracetamol, and Dexamethasone)
- Surya Sehat (Piroxicam)
- Daun Tapak Liman (Paracetamol and Dexamethasone)
- Urat Banteng (Sildenafil Citrate)
- Ginseng Plus Asam Urat + Nyeri Tulang (Paracetamol)
- Chong Chao Zhi Ke Wang Capsule (Chlorpheniramine Maleate)
- Nofat (Sibutramine HCl)
- Tawon Wantong (Caffeine, Meloxicam, and Dexamethasone)
- Samuraten (Meloxicam and Dexamethasone)
- Shen Ling Asam Urat (Paracetamol)
- Daun Afrika Asam Urat (Paracetamol)
- Asam Urat-Nyeri Sendi-Sakit Gigi (Paracetamol and Natrium Diclofenac)
- Day’s Slim Pelangsing (Caffeine)
- Vitamin Gemuk By E Skin (Cyproheptadine HCl)
- Moringa Rosabella (Failed microbiological standards, including E. coli)
Official Regulatory Response
BPOM Chief Taruna Ikrar emphasized that the agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward the distribution of adulterated health products. "The addition of chemical drugs to herbal products is a serious violation that threatens public health," Ikrar stated. He urged the public to remain vigilant and not be swayed by claims of "instant" health benefits or overly aggressive promotional campaigns.
In response to these findings, BPOM has initiated a series of enforcement actions. These include tracing the supply chains to identify the manufacturers, ordering the immediate recall and destruction of the identified batches, and collaborating with digital platforms to remove all online listings of these specific products. The agency is also working with law enforcement to identify the distributors behind these illicit operations.
Legal Implications and Penalties
Under the newly enacted Indonesian Health Law (Law Number 17 of 2023), the production and distribution of substandard or adulterated medicinal products carry severe legal consequences. Article 435, in conjunction with Article 138, provides for a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and fines reaching up to IDR 5 billion (approximately USD 320,000). BPOM’s proactive stance is intended to serve as a deterrent to manufacturers who exploit the popularity of traditional medicine to conceal illegal drug production.
Broader Public Health Implications
The infiltration of chemical ingredients into herbal medicines is not a new phenomenon, but the scale of this latest discovery highlights a persistent challenge in the Southeast Asian regulatory landscape. Experts argue that as consumers increasingly turn toward "alternative" medicine, the lack of standardized regulation in small-scale manufacturing units creates an environment where illicit additives can be introduced to ensure the products appear "effective."
The danger lies in the lack of transparency. When a consumer purchases a herbal supplement, they expect the active ingredients to be botanicals. When those botanicals are secretly fortified with pharmaceutical drugs, the consumer is subjected to the side effects of those drugs without the necessary medical consultation. This often leads to hospitalizations for acute liver injury or gastrointestinal bleeding—complications that many patients may not initially link to their "natural" supplements.
Recommendations for Consumers
To protect themselves, consumers are advised to follow the "CEK KLIK" protocol—a standard public awareness campaign promoted by BPOM:
- C (Check) the packaging: Ensure the container is in good condition.
- E (Ensure) the label: Read the product information thoroughly.
- K (Check) the license: Verify the product’s registration number on the official BPOM website or mobile application.
- K (Check) the expiration date: Never consume expired products.
- L (Check) the license again: Confirm the product is authorized for sale.
- I (Check) the information: Look for any warnings or contraindications on the label.
- K (Check) the quality: Ensure the product does not have an unusual odor, color, or texture.
BPOM encourages the public to report any suspicious health products through their official contact channels. As the agency continues its investigation, the focus remains on clearing the market of these 31 products and preventing further harm to the public. For those who may have consumed these products, medical professionals recommend discontinuing use immediately and consulting a healthcare provider, especially if symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, or unexplained fatigue arise.
