A dangerous “aphrodisiac honey” adulterated with Viagra invades France

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French customs authorities are sounding the alarm about an illegal substance which is invading the country in record quantities: “erectile honey” or “aphrodisiac honey”.

Presented in the form of convenient sticks or shots, this substance contains a mixture of honey and Viagra-type drugs and is sold covertly in some night markets for a few euros each.

Honey is sold “for consumption which is intended to be festive, but which is above all dangerous”, according to a press release from French customs.

This is because honey sticks often contain sildenafil or tadalafil, which are prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction, but which can have side effects when combined with alcohol or other medications, such as antihypertensives.

The sticks “may seem harmless to them or even, in the case of honey, trustworthy, but they can be dangerous to their health and safety,” customs authorities said.

Record customs seizure

Despite the health risks, the popularity of erectile honey appears to have taken off in recent years. French authorities made 131 seizures in 2023, compared to 18 cases in 2019.

The latest catch constitutes a new record: around 860,000 sticks, or 13 tonnes, of erectile honey. In weight, it is the equivalent of a double-decker London bus.

This seizure took place in Marseille in November 2024, when customs officers became suspicious regarding documents relating to “natural honey” coming from Malaysia.

While testing a few samples, they discovered that the erectile dysfunction drug was mixed in it.

Erectile honey has been found throughout France. In June 2024, customs officers in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand seized nearly 25,000 sticks.

It usually comes from Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia or Thailand, depending on the agency.

Additional sources • adaptation: Serge Duchêne