What Is Royal Honey and Why Did the FDA Recall It? (2024)

What Is Royal Honey and Why Did the FDA Recall It? (1)

Health

The agency said the supps contained the active ingredients in prescription ED meds.

By Austin Letorney

April 29, 2024

Popular honey-based sexual supplements may not be as natural as you think.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four companies that sell honey-based sexual enhancement supplements. The agency found the active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra—prescription meds used to treat erectile dysfunction—in the supplements.

The FDA has spoken out through several press releases over a number of years, finding that internal lab testing found tadalafil (Cialis) and sildenafil (Viagra) in products with names including “Royal Honey for Him” and “X Rated Honey for Men.” The FDA said these drugs pose a serious risk to consumers taking other prescription drugs with nitrates (like nitroglycerin), medications used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Interaction could lead to dangerously low blood pressure levels.

“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,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, via the FDA’s release.

There’s also the reality that some people may experience allergic reactions to these drugs, a risk heightened by taking them without knowing it.

What Is Royal Honey and Why Did the FDA Recall It? (2)

The four companies mentioned by the FDA include Thirstyrun LLC (also known as US Royal Honey LLC), MKS Enterprise LLC, Shopaax.com, and 1am USA Incorporated dba Pleasure Products USA. The honey-based sexual supplements were sold online—the agency named Amazon and Etsy in various press releases—and maybe even in select retail stores, according to the FDA.

The companies issued warnings have 15 days to either address the issues of their products or provide information on why their products don’t violate the law. Failure to do so will result in legal action, like product seizure, according to the press release.

On July 13, Shopaax.com recalled all lots of its Kingdom Honey Royal Honey VIP because it contains sildenafil. Consumers should immediately are advised to stop using the product and may return it for a full refund.

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An Unregulated Industry

Supplements live in an unregulated market and aren’t vetted by the FDA.

The supplement “Royal Honey for Men” claims to deliver ultimate power and is “the most potent and natural source of sexual power and testosterone,” according to their marketing. Listed ingredients include tribulus terrestris (a fruit-producing plant), tongkat ali (a shrubby tree), and ginseng (a root), all popular ingredients in testosterone boosters and sexual supplements.

“People should be very leery taking many of the products and supplements, because they’re unregulated, and most people don’t know what’s actually in them,” said Franklin Lowe, M.D., vice chairman of the Department of Urology at Montefiore Medical Center and a professor at Albert Einstein School of Medicine, toNBC News.

“What is on the label doesn’t necessarily correlate to what’s actually in the bottle or pill. And this is a perfect example of that,” Lowe added.

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A Growing Danger

These warnings come as theFDA’s list of tainted sexual enhancement productsgrows. In April, theFDA warned of 18 other honey-based sexual supplementswith hidden drugs. And in 2019, the FDA warned that sexual enhancement pills sold online could contain hidden ingredients like sildenafil, the active ingredient of Viagra. Again, FDA approvals of Cialis and Viagra are restricted to use under the supervision of a licensed health care professional.

“It’s extremely important for men experiencing erectile dysfunction to talk to a doctor about their symptoms,” saysJack Jeng, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Hone Health. “Erectile dysfunction is a risk marker for cardiovascular disease and may be caused by underlying problems like low testosterone. A doctor can review your medical history and order lab tests to determine the best course of action. If medication is appropriate, your doctor will provide a prescription and monitor for side effects and efficacy.”

Reporting Side Effects

If you feel you’ve taken a supplement like the ones described in this article and felt negative or unintended side effects, you can report them to the FDA’sMedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Programonline.

Say Goodbye to Performance Issues

Is low testosterone sabotaging your performance? Get answers with Hone’s comprehensive at-home hormone test. If you qualify, treatments for low T and ED are delivered right to your door.

LET’S DO THIS

What Is Royal Honey and Why Did the FDA Recall It? (8)

What Is Royal Honey and Why Did the FDA Recall It? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Royal Honey and Why Did the FDA Recall It? ›

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Royal Honey purchased from eBay.com contains tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, an FDA-approved prescription drug for erectile dysfunction. FDA approval of Cialis is restricted to use under the supervision of a licensed health care professional.

Why was Royal Honey recalled? ›

Shopaax.com Issues Voluntary Recall of Kingdom Honey Royal Honey VIP Due to Presence of Undeclared Sildenafil. When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service.

What is different about royal honey? ›

What Makes Honey Royal Unique? Honey Royal is unique because it is produced by a special species of bee that feeds exclusively on the nectar of the Manuka tree. This gives the honey its distinct flavor and texture. The Manuka tree is native to New Zealand and is known for its antibacterial properties.

What is honey according to the FDA? ›

What is honey? Reference materials in the public domain define honey as “a thick, sweet, syrupy substance that bees make as food from the nectar of plants or secretions of living parts of plants and store in honeycombs.”2 FDA has concluded that this definition accurately reflects the common usage of the term “honey.”

Is Royal Honey FDA approved? ›

[12-17-2020] The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Royal Honey, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites and possibly in some retail stores.

Does Royal Honey go bad? ›

While it may seem counterintuitive, honey actually does not go bad — as long as it is stored properly, that is. In this guide, we will explain why the unique chemical composition protects raw honey from spoiling, and how you can protect it from contamination in your pantry.

How long does honey last? ›

If you're considering throwing it away, think again. You don't have to toss that honey! Even if honey had been sitting on your shelf for 2,000 years, that honey would still be as good as the day you opened it. In a nutshell, well-stored honey never expires or spoils, even if it's been previously opened.

Is royal jelly good for you? ›

Small human studies have found royal jelly can help reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, PMS symptoms, menopause symptoms, and chemotherapy side effects. However, we need more quality research to confirm these benefits. Still, taking 1,000 mg of royal jelly daily is likely safe if you don't have asthma or allergies.

Is Royal honey from bees? ›

Royal jelly is often referred to as a honey bee's version of “a mother's milk” and is a protein-rich secretion produced by worker bees. This milky substance is fed to all larvae for a short period of time during the honey bee life cycle, and is also fed to the developing queen bee in extra amounts.

Is honey safe to use? ›

Honey is generally safe in adults and children older than age 1.

Is honey 100% safe? ›

It is safe for people to consume both raw and regular honey, though it is a good idea to avoid types of honey that contain added sugars. Both raw and regular honey may contain tiny amounts of a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria can cause botulism, which is a rare form of food poisoning.

Is Miracle honey FDA approved? ›

Public Notification: Leopard Secret Miracle Honey contains hidden drug ingredient. [11-8-2018] The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Leopard Secret Miracle Honey, a product promoted for sexual enhancement. This product was identified during an examination of imported goods.

What are the side effects of royal jelly? ›

Allergic reactions are the most common side effect. Allergic reactions from oral intake of royal jelly can range from very mild (e.g., mild gastrointestinal upset) to more severe reactions, including asthma, anaphylaxis (shock), intestinal bleeding, and even death in people who are extremely allergic to bee products.

Where can I find royal jelly? ›

Apiaries can be used to find Royal Jelly and other rare resources like Slime Rancher's Wild Honey in both the Moss Blanket and in the Glass Desert. These extractors take about 12 in-game hours to finish digging up resources. Royal Jelly can also be gotten from Slime Science Crates, although their drop rate is about 3%.

Can man take royal jelly? ›

Men with a higher testosterone level are also thought to have a reduced risk for Alzheimer's Disease. Royal Jelly is also important for men's reproductive health as it may increase libido, improve sperm motility, and help in passing healthy DNA to the next generation.

What does royal honey taste like? ›

The key characteristics that distinguish royal honey from its conventional counterpart are its taste, texture, and the richness of its amber hue. It's often described as a robust and malty flavour accompanied by a thick and creamy consistency.

When did Crown Royal Honey come out? ›

Crown Royal Honey was introduced in 2016.

What pill is sildenafil? ›

Sildenafil is a medicine used to treat erection problems (erectile dysfunction). Sildenafil is also sometimes used to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs).

References

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