BPOM Unloads 15 Herbal Drugs Containing Hazardous Chemicals

JAKARTA - Not a few people choose herbal medicine because it is considered safer and more natural. However, not a few herbal products that turn out to contain dangerous chemicals that are inserted illegally to provide fast effects.

Instead of healing, this kind of drug actually risks serious diseases such as heart attacks, internal organ damage, to death.

Therefore, it is important for consumers to be more selective and vigilant in choosing a health product labeled "natural".

The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) recently revealed that 15 natural medicinal products (OBA) turned out to contain hazardous medicinal chemicals (BKO).

These products were discovered during intensive surveillance in April 2025, and the majority claimed to be an increase in male stamina or a two-category linu hyacinth that is prone to being manipulated with chemicals for instant yields.

According to the Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, of the 226 products tested, 15 of them were positive for BKO. A total of 12 products do not have a distribution permit or include fake distribution license numbers, while the remaining three have had permits but have canceled their distribution permits.

"These products are dominated by claims to increase the stamina of men and pegal linu, two categories that are vulnerable to chemical infiltration to get instant effects," said Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar as quoted by ANTARA.

The following is a list of products that are indicated to contain BKO:

Pegel Linu Asam Urat Sari Mahkota Dewa Hustung Jawa Asli

Godong Kates

Godong Sirsak

Tong Mai Dan

Two Star Mustika Dewa

Ricalinu

Pinang Muda

Rhino Coffee

BMSW Strong Coffee

Goee Coffee

Super Male Joss Coffee

Chang San

Bio Shafa

Pastop

Vitgo Max

Some of the chemicals found in the product include sitrate sildenafil and tadalafil (in the stamina-boosting product), as well as paracetamol, deksametason, phenilbutaron, and sodium diklofenak (in the petal linu pereda product).

These substances if used without medical supervision can cause serious side effects, such as hormonal disorders, chest pain, stroke, kidney failure, liver disorders, and even the risk of death.

"SIDE effects that may occur include loss of sight and hearing, chest pain, swelling in the face, stroke, heart attacks, hormonal disorders, growth disorders, osteoporosis, hepatitis, kidney failure, liver damage, even death if used in high doses or in the long term," he explained.

BPOM has taken firm steps, such as confiscation and destruction of products, taking action against business actors, and imposing administrative sanctions such as termination of production and revocation of distribution permits. In addition, supervision is now also extended to digital platforms, including websites, social media, and marketplaces, in order to suppress the circulation of illegal products online.

The Ikrar cadet emphasized the importance of the responsibility of business actors in ensuring the safety and quality of the products in circulation.

In addition, BPOM also received reports from authorities abroad, such as Singapore and Thailand, who identified two other products of Setia Herba and Poke containing BKO, even though both products do not have distribution permits in Indonesia.

The public is asked to be more careful, not only in choosing herbal products, but also in verifying the legality and security of every product consumed.